Lung India : official organ of Indian Chest Society
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Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are common and often fatal; however, accurate prognosis of patients hospitalized with an exacerbation is difficult. The Dyspnea, Eosinopenia, Consolidation, Acidemia, and Atrial Fibrillation (DECAF) score uses indices routinely available at the time of hospital admission and can accurately predict the inhospital mortality and outcomes in patients hospitalized with AECOPD. ⋯ This study proved that with an increase in the DECAF score, the mortality among patients in AECOPD increased. The DECAF score helps clinicians predict prognosis accurately by identifying low-risk patients potentially suitable for home-based care or early hospital discharge and high-risk patients requiring escalated palliation with high-level care to improve their outcome.