Comparative study between BAP65 score and DECAF score in assessment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations is common, but accurate expectation of hospitalized patients in exacerbation state has been difficult for a long time. Dyspnea, eosinopenia, consolidation, acidemia, and atrial fibrillation (DECAF) score was evaluated in this study for prediction of mortality and ventilation need in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD admitted to ICU or chest department. This novel score was compared with the BAP65 scoring system. Patients and methods A total of 50 patients were included in this comparative study. They were admitted with COPD exacerbation from our ER to the chest department or ICU. BAP65 and DECAF scores were collected on admission for each patient. The patients were followed up during the hospital stay. Death or ventilation events was recorded. Data analysis was done using SPSS, version 22. Results DECAF and BAP65 scores had a good prediction of in-hospital mortality, with 100% sensitivity for both, whereas the specificity was 87% for DECAF score and 91% BAP65 score. The accuracy in mortality prediction for DECAF and BAP65 score was 88 and 92%, respectively. The sensitivity of DECAF and BAP65 scores for prediction of mechanical ventilation need was 93 and 87%, respectively, whereas the specificity was 74 and 60%, respectively, with 80% accuracy in DECAF score and 68% accuracy in BAP65 score. A positive linear relationship with a significant correlation was found between DECAF score and BAP65 score on the Pearson's graph (r=0.604, P<0.001). Conclusion BAP65 and DECAF are feasible scores that can be calculated by usually available data. They also have a good prediction for mortality and ventilation need during acute exacerbation of COPD.