A STUDY OF EFFECT OF VACCINATION (PNEUMOCOCCAL&/INFLUENZA) ON EXACERBATION RATES IN PATIENTS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE.

Dr Trupti J Gadhavi; Dr Vishakha Kapadia; Dr Savita Jindal; Dr Sanjay Tripathi; Dr Palak Prajapati; Dr Aagam Shah

Volume : IX, Issue : VIII, August - 2020

A STUDY OF EFFECT OF VACCINATION (PNEUMOCOCCAL&/INFLUENZA) ON EXACERBATION RATES IN PATIENTS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE.

Dr Trupti J Gadhavi, Dr Vishakha Kapadia, Dr Savita Jindal, Dr Sanjay Tripathi, Dr Palak Prajapati, Dr Aagam Shah

Abstract :

Background: Exacerbations form a major component of the socioeconomic burden related to COPD, and are associated with greater decline in health status. Since tracheoonchial infections are most common cause of exacerbation, this study is conducted to assess the effectiveness of vaccination status. Methods: 50 patients with COPD were recruited from the out–patient + inpatient clinic between January 2019 and May 2020. Subject demographic data , COPD staging, smoking status, co–morbidities, previous history of exacerbations were recorded. They were divided into two groups: Group A (Vaccinated) and Group B (Non–vaccinated). Group A further divided into Group A1 (Pneumococcal vaccine) and A2 ( Pneumococcal+ Influenza) with 17 and 08 patients respectively. Vaccination status, and COPD–related emergency or hospital admissions triggered by tracheoonchial infections over 1 y after administration of both influenza and pneumococcal vaccines were noted. Results: 50 male patients with Mean age �SD 54.96�8.12 were enrolled in the study. Vaccinated patients (Group A1 and Group A2) had highly significant reduction in both exacerbation and hospitalization rates (P<0.01) compared to non–vaccinated (Group B). Amongst Group A1, there was highly significant reduction in exacerbation rate in patients with age<65years, Stage III COPD and non–smokers (P<0.01) compared to patients with age >65 years, other stages of COPD and smokers respectively. Conclusion: The significant reduction in exacerbation rate suggests role of vaccination in prevention of exacerbations.Hence, Physicians should recommend both influenza and pneumococcal vaccines to all patients with COPD according to GOLD guidelines to reduce exacerbations.