Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a significant public health issue in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), driven by increasing risk factors such as cigarette smoking and air pollution. Patients with COPD experience a wide range of short-term outcomes during their hospital admissions. However, there is a paucity of information regarding these short-term outcomes in most LMICs. This study sought to determine the prevalence of COPD, identify short-term clinical outcomes, and assess the factors associated with these outcomes among hospitalized COPD patients at Kiruddu and Mulago National Referral Hospitals. 

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted over six months, screening all patient admissions on the pulmonology wards. COPD patients were followed up to assess clinical outcomes, including symptom resolution, length of hospital stay, and mortality. Modified Poisson regression was used to identify risk factors for these outcomes.

Results: Of the 896 patients screened, 10.04% (n=90) had COPD, with a mean age of 68 years. The average length of hospital stay following admission was 7 days (SD, 5.7 days). 68.9% (n=62) of patients had their COPD symptoms resolved in less than 8 days, while 8% (n=7) died within 30 days after admission. Delayed symptom resolution and a longer duration of hospitalization were associated with a history of smoking (P=0.014), low-income status (P= 0.016), and oxygen therapy on admission (P<0.001).

Conclusion: This study highlights a relatively high burden of COPD among patients admitted to pulmonary wards in Uganda, with a significant portion experiencing quick symptom resolution. However, adverse outcomes, including prolonged hospital stays and mortality, were notably associated with risk factors such as smoking, low socioeconomic status, and oxygen therapy requirements, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in high-risk groups.