Changes in GOLD Classifications: 2011 versus 2017. Do exacerbations have any role in mortality?

<b>Introduction</b>: Our aim is to assess changes groups and their mortality between GOLD 2011 and 2017. <b>Methods:</b> Patients were collected from the specialized consultation in four tertiary hospitals in Spain. Diagnosis was confirmed following the ATS/ERS criteria and they were classified using the 2011 and 2017 GOLD guidelines. We determined anthropometric data, airflow limitation and clinical parameters. Mortality at 60 and 120 months was assessed. <b>Results:</b> We followed 819 COPD patients during a median of 52 months. During follow-up, deaths from any cause occurred in 211 patients. Patients with hospital exacerbations had a higher death rate than those with outpatient exacerbations (3(46%) vs. 29(24.6%), p=0.003, OR=2.5). Results are shown in Table 1 and Figure 1. <b>Conclusions:</b> We should reconsider the role of outpatient exacerbations since they might not have no impact in mortality.