JHSM
Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine

Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine (JHSM) is an unbiased, peer-reviewed, and open access international medical journal. The Journal publishes interesting clinical and experimental research conducted in all fields of medicine, interesting case reports, and clinical images, invited reviews, editorials, letters, comments, and related knowledge.

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Original Article
Relationship between pulmonary artery-to-aorta ratio and hospital length of stay in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations: a retrospective cohort analysis and clinical implications
Abstract
Aims: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between pulmonary artery/aorta (PA/Ao) ratio and hospital length of stay, disease severity, and clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 214 patients admitted with COPD exacerbation between May 2022 and February 2024. Following comprehensive exclusion criteria, 160 patients were included in the final analysis. PA/Ao ratios were measured on thoracic computed tomography images. Hospital length of stay, annual exacerbation frequency, and clinical parameters were evaluated. Statistical analysis employed log-transformation, multivariable regression, and ROC analysis.
Results: Mean age was 69.4±9.2 years, with 64.4% being male. Mean PA/Ao ratio was 1.105±0.119. PA/Ao ratio showed significant positive correlation with log-transformed hospital length of stay (ß=1.4132, 95% CI: 0.739-2.088, p=0.0001) and annual exacerbation frequency (r=0.296, p=0.0001). Patients with PA/Ao>1.15 had significantly longer hospital stays (7.7±8.0 vs 4.7±3.2 days, p=0.0025) and higher annual exacerbation frequency (1.98±1.28 vs 1.39±0.76, p=0.0003). Multivariable analysis identified PA/Ao ratio and serum lactate level as independent predictors of hospital length of stay (Model R²=0.247).
Conclusion: PA/Ao ratio is a reliable predictor of hospital length of stay and disease severity in COPD exacerbations. This non invasive radiological parameter can be utilized in clinical risk stratification and treatment planning.

Keywords : Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, PA/Ao ratio, hospital length of stay, exacerbation frequency, lactate

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Article available in :
Volume 9, Issue 1, 2026
Page : 45-51
https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1794663
Article Information
Received : 02 Eki 2025
Accepted : 16 Kas 2025
Published : 05 Oca 2026
Corresponding Author :

Abdurrahman Koç: Department of Pulmonology, Meram State Hospital, Konya, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Koç A, Ataş AE. Relationship between pulmonary artery-to-aorta ratio and hospital length of stay in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations: a retrospective cohort analysis and clinical implications. J Health Sci Med. 2026;9(1):45-51. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1794663

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