Research 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

Volume: 9 Number: 1 January 5, 2026
TR EN

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 (β=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

Supporting Institution

No funding was received for this study

Ethical Statement

KTO Karatay University Faculty of Medicine Non-Drug and Medical Device Research Ethics Committee (Approval No: 2024/031, Approval Date: April 25, 2024)

Thanks

We acknowledge the pulmonary medicine nursing staff for their contributions and the hospital information technology department for data collection support.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Chest Diseases, Radiology and Organ Imaging

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 5, 2026

Submission Date

October 2, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 16, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 1

APA
Koç, A., & Ataş, A. E. (2026). 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. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, 9(1), 45-51. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1794663
AMA
1.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 / JHSM. 2026;9(1):45-51. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1794663
Chicago
Koç, Abdurrahman, and Abdullah Enes Ataş. 2026. “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”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 (1): 45-51. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1794663.
EndNote
Koç A, Ataş AE (January 1, 2026) 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. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 1 45–51.
IEEE
[1]A. Koç and A. E. Ataş, “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 / JHSM, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 45–51, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.32322/jhsm.1794663.
ISNAD
Koç, Abdurrahman - Ataş, Abdullah Enes. “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”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9/1 (January 1, 2026): 45-51. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1794663.
JAMA
1.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 / JHSM. 2026;9:45–51.
MLA
Koç, Abdurrahman, and Abdullah Enes Ataş. “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”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, vol. 9, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 45-51, doi:10.32322/jhsm.1794663.
Vancouver
1.Abdurrahman Koç, Abdullah Enes Ataş. 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 / JHSM. 2026 Jan. 1;9(1):45-51. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1794663

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