Weak cough is associated with increased mortality in COPD patients with scheduled extubation: a two-year follow-up study

Abstract

Background

Cough strength is associated with short-term outcome in patients with scheduled extubation who successfully complete a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT). However, the long-term outcome is unclear.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study performed in a respiratory ICU of a teaching hospital. COPD patients who successfully completed a SBT were candidates. We enrolled the case who assessed the cough strength by cough peak flow (CPF) or semiquantitative cough strength score (SCSS, ranging from 0 = weak to 5 = strong). Patients were followed up to two years by phone every 3 months.

Results

A total of 215 patients were enrolled in current study. Among them, CPF and SCSS were measured in 214 and 208 cases, respectively. Strong cough was associated with a 16% decrease in the risk of two-year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.84, 95%CI: 0.78–0.91) per 10 L/min increment of CPF. When it was tested by SCSS, decrease in the risk of two-year mortality per unit increment was 27% (adjusted HR 0.73, 95%CI: 0.62–0.86). Similar results were confirmed in the discharged patients. In all patients, the two-year mortality was 75%, 53%, and 38% in patients with CPF < 60, 60–90, and > 90 L/min; and 85%, 70%, and 40% in patients with SCSS of 0–1, 2–3, and 4–5, respectively. Similar trend was found among the discharged patients whether it was assessed by CPF or SCSS.

Conclusions

In COPD patients, weak cough is associated with increased two-year mortality after a scheduled extubation. It provides objective information to caregivers to improve decision-making process during hospitalization and after discharge.