[Impact of exacerbations and admissions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

During the natural history of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an increase in symptom severity can occur, called exacerbated COPD (ECOPD), sometimes requiring hospital admission. Although there is ongoing debate on the definition of ECOPD--leading to a lack of homogeneity in the numerous studies performed--exacerbations negatively affect patients, producing clinical and pulmonary function deterioration in the long term. Exacerbations also decrease quality of life in the medium- and long-term and have a high social and health cost, especially during hospital admission. Finally, ECOPD increases mortality in patients in the short-term, during hospital admission, and after discharge. In view of all of the above, prevention of ECOPD has become one of the main objectives in these patients.