The study, published in the journal ERJ Open Research, revealed that shortness of breath in hospitalized patients is a strong indicator of increased risk of death, while chest pain is not associated with the same increased risk.
The study, conducted by Harvard Medical School in collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, included nearly 10,000 adults admitted to hospitals. Nurses assessed patients' conditions daily, including the severity of shortness of breath, and found that this symptom was associated with higher rates of death, the need for intensive care, or the provision of emergency care.
The researchers also noted that a quarter of patients discharged from the hospital with persistent shortness of breath died within six months, compared to only 7% among those without this problem. They explained that shortness of breath is an early physiological indicator of oxygen deficiency and difficulty expelling carbon dioxide, and warrants close monitoring, similar to pulse, blood pressure, and temperature.
The study authors suggested including the assessment of shortness of breath among the basic vital signs, noting that a short questionnaire that takes less than one minute could contribute to the early detection of deteriorating health and save patients' lives.
