Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of COPD and pneumonia on the mortality rates among patients admitted to the Freeman Health System in Southwest Missouri, to provide a better idea of whether there is a correlation between the two and whether the presence of both adds to the mortality rates. Patient data were extracted from electronic medical records, focusing on patients with or without COPD and pneumonia diagnoses. Analyses revealed a statistical difference, with a p-value of <0.0001, in mortality rates between COPD patients with (P1) and without (P3) pneumonia, indicating that pneumonia did have an impact on COPD patients. However, pneumonia patients without COPD (P2) had a higher, but non-statistical difference in mortality rates compared to COPD patients with pneumonia (P1), with a p-value of 0.0806. These findings emphasize the severe influence of pneumonia in both COPD and non-COPD populations in the area, warranting further investigation and emphasizing the importance of timely and appropriate treatment. These results provide insights into the interplay between COPD and pneumonia in the geographic area, which may provide guidance in treatment decisions that may improve patient outcomes.