| Summary: | Background: Globally, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) constitutes a significant healthcare burden. In the developed world setting of a large urban hospital, this thesis defines which bedside variables recorded at baseline best predicts outcome from N on Invasive Ventilation (NIV) in the acute setting focusing on the presence of hyperglycaemia. Furthermore, whilst informed patient choice is central to modern clinical care, little is known about how COPD patients respond to information regarding complex therapies. This thesis explores COPD patient attitudes towards Ventilatory support and Advanced Directives of Care (ADCs). In contrast, in the developing world, the thesis aimed to better understand risk factors associated with the finding of airflow obstruction with emphasis on low Body Mass Index (BMI).
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