Table 2. Parameters suggested for evaluation of short-term mortality
Two or more criteria [25]Decision tree [28]
FEV1 <30% predictedAge <75 yrs
Oxygen dependenceDyspnoea degree
One or more hospital admissions in the previous year for an acute exacerbation of COPDFEV1 <50% predicted
Left heart failure or other comorbiditiesPhysical activity (time spent walking during leisure time)
Weight loss or cachexiaNumber of exacerbations in the last 2 yrs
Decreased functional status
Increasing dependence on others
Age >70 yrs

  • FEV1: forced expiratory volume in 1 s; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Reproduced from [25] and modified from [28] with permission from the publishers.