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Drawing Impairment Predicts Mortality in Severe COPD^*

^* From Geriatric Medicine (Drs. Antonelli-Incalzi and Pedone), University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy; the Italian National Research Center on Aging (Dr. Corsonello), Cosenza, Italy; the Department of Psychology (Dr. Trojano), Second University of Naples, Caserta, Italy; Salvatore Maugeri Foundation (Drs. Acanfora and Izzo), Institute of Care and Scientific Research, Rehabilitation Institute of Telese, Benevento, Italy; the San Raffaele Foundation (Dr. Spada), Cittadella della Carità, Taranto, Italy; and Chair of Geriatric Medicine (Dr. Rengo), "Federico II" University School of Medicine, Naples, Italy.

Correspondence to: Andrea Corsonello, MD, Viale della Resistenza Pal Alfa Scala H, I-87036 Rende (CS), Italy; e-mail: andrea_corsonello{at}tin.it

Abstract

Background: Cognitive impairment frequently occurs in elderly COPD patients, but little is known about its prognostic implications. We aimed at evaluating the prognostic role of cognitive impairment in patients with severe COPD.

Methods: Our series consisted of 149 stable patients (mean [± SD] age, 68.7 ± 8.5 years) with COPD and a PaO₂ of < 57 mm Hg at rest (n = 97) or at the end of the 6-min walking test (n = 37) who were enrolled in a prospective observational study. After a multidimensional baseline assessment, patients were followed up by telephone calls for a mean duration of 32.5 ± 9.2 months (minimal follow-up duration, 24 months); 134 patients were successfully tracked. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis to identify predictors of death among clinical/functional variables that previously were shown to have prognostic implications and among neuropsychological indexes selected on the basis of univariate analysis.

Results: We observed 29 deaths over a median follow-up time of 32 months. Only the two following variables were independently associated with the outcome: an abnormal score on the copy with landmark test (hazard ratio [HR], 2.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34 to 6.39); and a 6-min walk distance of < 300 m (HR, 3.46; 95% CI, 1.15 to 10.5). A PaO₂ of < 57 mm Hg at rest (HR, 2.19; 95% CI, 0.93 to 5.18) and an FEV₁ of < 40% predicted (HR, 2.74; 95% CI, 0.99 to 7.57) were nearly significantly associated with the outcome, while PaCO₂, body mass index, physical dependence, comorbid diseases, and the impairment of cognitive domains other than drawing impairment were unrelated to the outcome.

Conclusions: Drawing impairment is a risk factor for mortality and might improve the assessment of hypoxemic COPD patients.

Key Words: cognitive impairment • COPD • drawing impairment • mortality

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. C. Goldstein, R. Antonelli-Incalzi, C. Pedone, A. Corsonello, and F. Rengo Drawing Impairment Predicts Mortality in Severe COPD: A Naive Approach to COPD Mortality Prediction Chest, October 1, 2007; 132(4): 1411 - 1412. [Full Text] [PDF]