Descriptive characteristics of patients with acute respiratory failure due to exacerbation of chronic pulmonary disease who required emergency care

Purpose and objectives of the study: the objective of the study is to provide a descriptive description of a group of patients who applied to the ambulance service due to an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The purpose of the study is to use the obtained data for the subsequent development of recommendations on the tactics of action for ambulance brigades when aiding with this group of patients. Materials and methods: retrospective analysis of patient charts (141 charts) for patients with exacerbation of COPD, performed in 2023 by emergency medical service (EMS) belonging to the district outpatient clinic No. 52 of St. Petersburg. The gender and age characteristics of this group of patients were studied, as well, as the duration of the exacerbation at the time of the brigade visit, the severity of the general condition and the severity of manifestations of respiratory failure (RF), comorbidity, the need for medical evacuation to the hospital. Results: the average age of patients with exacerbations of COPD who applied for EMS in 2023 was 69.5±9.88 years, among them 62.4% were male and 37.6% female. Comorbidity was detected in 68% of patients; among concomitant pathologies, bronchial asthma, diseases of the cardiovascular system, infectious diseases of the lower respiratory tract, and cancer predominated. In 81% of patients, the severity of the general condition was assessed as moderate to severe, mainly determined by the severity of RF. The duration of COPD exacerbation at the time of the brigade visit ranged from 1 to 14 days (average 5.5±6.9). Of the 141 patients, 75 (53.2%) were transmitted by ambulance teams to hospital ED. Conclusion: patients with exacerbation of COPD represent a specific group of patients, which is distinguished by older age, a high level of comorbidity, the presence of significant RF, and a high need for hospitalization.