Objective: COPD is a progressive disease that develops with acute exacerbations. The hospitalizations related to exacerbation increase together with progression of disease. Are waited that significantly increases the frequency of hospitalizations in COPD patients with emphysema who have worse respiratory functions.

Materials and Methods: Were included 100 stable COPD cases to study. Numbers of acute exacerbations, hospitalization and hospitalization days, spirometric, anthropometric and demographic characteristics of cases were recorded and were evaluated prospectively.

Results: Mean numbers were 1.4±0.1 for yearly exacerbation, 1.2±0.1 for hospitalization and 11.2±1.7 days for hospitalization day. Were observed that total hospitalization numbers correlated with %FEV1(r=-0.367 p<0.001), FEV1/FVC(r=-0.239 p=0.017) values, chest expansasion capacities (r=- 0.204 p=0.041) and distances of intersinusal line to dome of diaphragm (r=-0.317 p=0.001) negatively and with retrosternal distances(r=0.282 p=0.004) positively. There was positive correlation between total hospitalization days and SGRQ scores(r=0.423 p<0.001). Were found that total hospitalization days correlated with %FEV1(r=-0.308 p=0.002) and FEV1/FVC values (r=-0.273 p=0.020) negatively. Fiftyone cases were hospitalized at least one time because of acute exacerbation in COPD. In these cases %FEV1(p=0.001) and FEV1/FVC(p=0.012) values were significantly lower than cases that didn't hospitalize. Chest expansasion capacities(p=0.001), distances of intersinusal line to dome of diaphragm(p=0.001) were statistically lower and Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores were higher (p=0.007) in cases who were hospitalized.

Conclusion: When COPD progresses, hospitalizations related to acute exacerbation increase too. Lower spirometric values, deterioration of life quality and emphysematous changes correlate with number and frequency of hospitalization.