Prevalence and risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications after lung cancer surgery in patients with early stage of COPD

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) between non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in the early stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and patients with normal lung function and to assess the role of CAT or SGRQ scores as PPCs risk predictors after lung cancer surgery in patients with early stage COPD. Patients and methods: Patients undergoing pulmonary resection for NSCLC between July 2012 and October 2014 were prospectively enrolled. Preoperative measurements of lung function, dyspnea, and QOL, operative characteristics, PPCs, duration of postoperative hospitalization, and in-hospital mortality were assessed. Results: Among 351 consecutive NSCLC patients, 343 patients with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) ≥ 70% of predicted value were enrolled. At least one PPC occurred in 57 (16.6%) patients. PPC prevalence was higher in COPD patients (30.1%) than in those with normal spirometry (10.0%; p Conclusion: Even in early stage COPD, the prevalence of PPCs is higher than in NSCLC patients with normal spirometry. However, this rate is not different between group A and group B COPD patients. In accordance with this, scores based on symptoms or QOL are not predictors of risk of PPCs in early stage COPD patients.