Breathlessness intensity recorded in general practice is associated with shorter times to unplanned hospital admissions and longer lengths of stay: a UK cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objective

Breathlessness is associated with higher rates of unplanned health service utilisation. We aimed to evaluate any associations between the severity of breathlessness limiting exertion (hereafter breathlessness), time between breathlessness recording and subsequent unplanned hospital admissions, and length of stay.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of adults seen in general practice (UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink) with breathlessness (Medical Research Council (MRC) breathlessness scale; 1-5; 5 is most intense), no pre-existing cardio-respiratory disease and a subsequent unplanned hospital admission. Data from 2007 to 2017 were used. By intensity of breathlessness, time to first unplanned admission and hosp

SUBMITTER: Karsanji U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12314997 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature