Cognitive and perceived health status in patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease surviving acute on chronic respiratory failure: a controlled study.

Objective: To evaluate the perceived health and cognitive status in survivors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations requiring mechanical ventilation.

Design And Setting: Prospective controlled cohort study in a respiratory intermediate intensive care unit.

Patients: Sixty-three COPD patients at their first episode of acute on chronic respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, controls were 34 consecutive stable COPD patients on long-term oxygen therapy with no previous ICU admission.