Table 2.

Risk Factors for Exacerbations⁵,⁶

Frequent exacerbator phenotype (this group of patients is susceptible to exacerbations, irrespective of disease severity) Older age Poor health status Past history of hospitalized exacerbation Severe airflow limitation More severe depression and poorer cognition Greater inflammation Bacterial colonization of lower airways Presence of system disease/comorbidities Radiological evidence of emphysema Increased pulmonary artery diameter Prior history of asthma