Prognostic Nutritional Index as a Potential Prognostic Tool for Exacerbation of COPD in Elderly Patients

Purpose: In COPD, exacerbation of the disorder causes a deterioration in the quality-of-life and worsens respiratory dysfunction, leading to a poor prognosis. In recent years, nutritional indices have been reported as significant prognostic factors in various chronic diseases. However, the relationship between nutritional indicators and prognosis in elderly subjects with COPD has not been investigated. Patients and methods: We enrolled 91 subjects who received COPD assessment tests (CAT), spirometry, blood tests, and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). We divided the subjects into two groups according to age (