Predicting factors contributing to length of stay in hospitalized chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients: the role of the emergency room.

Background: Exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common cause of hospital admission and COPD patients usually have a long stay in hospital.

Methods: The objective of this study was to identify factors predicting length of stay in patients with exacerbation of COPD when seen in the emergency room. We analyzed clinical and biological variables.