Interventions to prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations.
Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a profound effect on the patient's health status and decline in lung function; they also impose a significant burden on healthcare resource utilization. Prevention and treatment of exacerbations is listed by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) as among the major objectives of COPD management, and it is therefore an important outcome measure when studying any new agent. This article discusses pharmacologic therapy and other measures for preventing exacerbations and hospitalizations due to exacerbations of COPD.
Niewoehner
Dennis E
DE
Pulmonary Section, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417, USA.
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019141:Respiratory System Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012138:Respiratory Therapy; D055502:Secondary Prevention
D019141:Respiratory System Agents