What is the link between shortness of breath and mortality in hospitalized patients?

According to the study, patients who develop shortness of breath while hospitalized are six times more likely to die compared to those without breathing difficulties.

How can hospitals use the findings from this study to improve patient care?

The researchers suggest that routinely asking patients to rate their shortness of breath, similar to how they rate pain, could help identify high-risk individuals and lead to better management of this symptom.

What other factors, besides shortness of breath, were found to impact patient outcomes in the study?

The study did not find a clear link between patient-reported pain and mortality risk, in contrast to the strong association observed with breathing discomfort.

Home / Health / Shortness of Breath in Hospitalized Patients Linked to 6X Higher Mortality

Shortness of Breath in Hospitalized Patients Linked to 6X Higher Mortality

10 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Patients with breathing discomfort 6 times more likely to die in hospital
Asking patients to rate shortness of breath could improve care
No clear link found between pain and risk of dying

Shortness of Breath in Hospitalized Patients Linked to 6X Higher Mortality

According to research published in ERJ Open Research on 2025-11-10T10:06:55+00:00, patients who become short of breath after being admitted to the hospital face a six times higher risk of dying compared to those without breathing difficulties. The study, led by Associate Professor Robert Banzett from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, examined data on nearly 10,000 hospitalized adults between March 2014 and September 2016.

The researchers found that patients who reported shortness of breath, or dyspnea, were not only more likely to die during their hospital stay, but also had a higher chance of needing intensive care and rapid response team intervention. In contrast, the study did not find a clear link between patient-reported pain and mortality risk.

Banzett emphasizes that dyspnea is an important warning sign that the body is not getting enough oxygen, which can be an "existential threat." He believes routinely asking patients to rate their breathing discomfort, similar to how they rate pain, could lead to better management of this often-frightening symptom and improved outcomes.