RESUMEN
Few studies have tried to assess prognostic variables in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients requiring mechanical ventilation (MV). We evaluated serum C reactive protein, (CRP) pre-albumin (PA) and transferrin (TR) levels in AE-COPD patients requiring MV as prognostic markers of in hospital mortality. 93 AE-COPD patients on MV were evaluated. Detailed clinical evaluation was done daily. Serum CRP & PA were measured on admission, 3rd, 8th and 16th day; TR was measured on admission, 8th and 16th day. Demographics, baseline parameters, CRP, PA and TR were correlated with mortality. Of 93 patients, 49 (52.69%) survived whereas 44 patients (47.31%) died. APACHE II, serum urea & albumin were similar in survivors & non-survivors. Baseline CRP (≥10.5 mg/dl) had sensitivity of 60.5%, specificity of 60.2%, with area under curve (AUC) of 0.62 as predictor of mortality. CRP (≥7 mg/dl) on day 3 had sensitivity (65.5%) and specificity (63.3%) with AUC 0.70 as predictor of mortality. Baseline serum prealbumin was 11.00 (0.09-29.26) mg/dl, and similar in survivors & non-survivors (p = 0.7). Prealbumin at day 8 (n = 50) < 13.5 mg/dl had sensitivity 54.6%, and specificity 51.4% with AUC 0.54 (95% CI 0.34-0.75) as predictor of mortality. Transferrin at day 8 (n = 50) of <148.9 had sensitivity 63.4% and specificity 61.4% with AUC 0.61 with respect to mortality. High CRP levels at baseline, persistently elevated CRP (on day 3) may predict mortality in AE-COPD patients requiring MV. Further studies are required to establish prognostic variables in this patient population.