Assessment of the charlson comorbidity index score,CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores in predicting death in patients with thoracic empyema

Background

Patients with thoracic empyema have an increased risk of mortality, but their absolute rate of mortality depends on age and comorbidities.

Objective

This study seeks to assess the predictive value of the Charlson Comorbidity Index score (CCIS), CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores for mortality risk in patients with empyema thoracis.

Methods

From Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database we identified a total of 484 participants diagnosed with thoracic empyema. The CCIS, CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were used to stratify mortality risk.

Results

The incidence rate of mortality in the present study was 20.39 per 1000 person-months. A strong correlation was found between thoracic empyema and CCIS score.

Conclusions

Our results show that patients with thoracic empyema have a significantly high incidence rate of mortality and that CCIS can be used as an indicator of risk for mortality.