Hypophosphatemia as a Prognostic Value in Acute Exacerbation of COPD: Prospective Study

Abstract Background Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive disease leads to repeated hospital admissions and is associated with a high mortality rate, making it a leading cause of disability and morbidity. Phosphorus is an important and essential electrolyte that plays a significant role in various physiological and cellular biochemical processes, including adenosine triphosphate high energy bonds, which affect muscle contractility, cellular integrity, and other biological functions. Aim of the Work to evaluate the prognostic effects of hypophosphatemia in acute exacerbation of COPD patients and evaluate the correlation between phosphorus levels and the severity of acute exacerbation of COPD. Patients and Methods a prospective comparative study that was conducted on patients admitted to ER previously diagnosed as COPD with Gold score (moderate IIA to very severe IV) suffering from acute exacerbation of COPD at Ain Shams University Hospital throughout 6 months. Results The study found a male predominance (85%) among the included COPD patients with acute exacerbation. COPD patients with hypophosphatemia were significantly associated with a need for mechanical ventilation and failed weaning. Blood gas analysis is an important method in ICU departments which can evaluate the condition and progress of patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. Conclusion Hypophosphatemia was found to be a predictor of failure in weaning from mechanical ventilation among patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. Treatment with phosphorus improves outcomes and reduces the duration of mechanical ventilation.