Severe exacerbations and acute respiratory failure in COPD

A key factor associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) morbidity and mortality is the occurrence of exacerbations of the disease. The aims of the thesis were to investigate the short‐ and long‐term mortality rates for COPD patients hospitalized for severe exacerbations with or without respiratory failure and to study predictors for poor outcomes. Also, investigating the effects of non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) in the post‐acute phase of severe exacerbation and studying gastro-intestinal (GI) integrity in relation to exacerbations of COPD were goals of this thesis. This thesis confirmed the detrimental impact of severe exacerbations on prognosis of COPD patients and identified several risk factors for poor outcome on short‐ and longer‐term. Also, it contributed to our understanding of the role of NIV in the management of patients with persistent hypercapnia during hospitalization and it provided insights in disturbances in GI integrity in relation to exacerbations of COPD.