title: COPD: management of acute exacerbations and chronic stable disease.
abstract: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are treated with oxygen (in hypoxemic patients), inhaled beta2 agonists, inhaled anticholinergics, antibiotics and systemic corticosteroids. Methylxanthine therapy may be considered in patients who do not respond to other bronchodilators. Antibiotic therapy is directed at the most common pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Mild to moderate exacerbations of COPD are usually treated with older broad-spectrum antibiotics such as doxycycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium. Treatment with augmented penicillins, fluoroquinolones, third-generation cephalosporins or aminoglycosides may be considered in patients with more severe exacerbations. The management of chronic stable COPD always includes smoking cessation and oxygen therapy. Inhaled beta2 agonists, inhaled anticholinergics and systemic corticosteroids provide short-term benefits in patients with chronic stable disease. Inhaled corticosteroids decrease airway reactivity and reduce the use of health care services for management of respiratory symptoms. Preventing acute exacerbations helps to reduce long-term complications. Long-term oxygen therapy, regular monitoring of pulmonary function and referral for pulmonary rehabilitation are often indicated. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccines should be given. Patients who do not respond to standard therapies may benefit from surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine, Charleston, USA. hunterlh@musc.edu
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000465:Algorithms; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D000628:Aminophylline