To explore the role of D-dimer level in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive disease (AECOPD) in predicting the re-admission of patients.

One hundred and twenty chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients in the Shanghai General Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University form January 2016 to December 2018 were divided into AECOPD group (62 cases) and stable COPD group (58 cases).The level of serum D-dimer was analyzed and Pearson correlation analysis was performed with the patient′s blood gas analysis and COPD assessment test (CAT) score. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum D-dimer level for readmission.

Serum D-dimer level was significantly higher in AECOPD group than that in stable group: (1.24 ± 0.56) mg/L vs. (0.39 ± 0.22) mg/L, and there was statistical difference (P<0.01). Serum D-dimer level was negatively correlated with PaO₂ in COPD patients (r = 0.712, P = 0.000), but positively correlated with PaCO₂ (r = 0.683, P = 0.000) and CAT score (r = 0.652, P = 0.000). The area under the ROC curve of D-dimer level to re-admission of COPD patients within one year was 0.848. The cutoff value was 1.015 mg/L.

The level of D-dimer in COPD patients is of great value in predicting the re-admission of patients, which can be used as an independent indicator of disease progression.

Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Plasma; D-dimer; ROC curve