The v-DECAF score can predict 90-day all-cause mortality in patients with COPD exacerbation requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.

Introduction: The DECAF score is a simple and effective tool for predicting mortality in patients hospitalized with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD); however, the DECAF score has not been validated in AECOPD patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). We devised the ventilator (v)-DECAF score, in which "anemia" replaces "acidaemia," for use in AECOPD patients requiring IMV. The objective of this study was to compare the predictive efficacy of the v-DECAF score and the DECAF score.

Methods: This study prospectively recruited 112 consecutive AECOPD patients requiring IMV from a single center. The clinical endpoint was 90-day all-cause mortality. Demographic and clinical data were recorded, as well as APACHE II, GCS, CURB-65, BAP-65 and DECAF scores, and the newly devised v-DECAF score. The discriminatory value of the scoring systems in predicting 90-day all-cause mortality was determined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve.

Results: In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the v-DECAF score was an independent predictor of 90-day all-cause mortality (odds ratio 3.004, 95% CI 1.658-5.445, P < 0.001). The AUROC of the v-DECAF and DECAF scores were 0.852 (95% CI 0.766-0.938) and 0.777 (95%CI: 0.676-0.878), respectively. The v-DECAF score had a better predictive value for 90-day all-cause mortality compared to the DECAF score (Z = 2.338, P = 0.019).

Conclusion: The v-DECAF score had good discriminatory power in predicting 90-day all-cause mortality in AECOPD patients requiring IMV.