title: COPD exacerbations: causes, prevention, and treatment.
abstract: The mechanisms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation are complex. Respiratory viruses (in particular rhinovirus) and bacteria play a major role in the cause of these events. A distinct group of patients seems susceptible to frequent exacerbations, irrespective of disease severity, and this phenotype is stable over time. Many current therapeutic strategies help reduce exacerbation frequency. Further work is required to develop novel anti-inflammatory therapies for exacerbation prevention and treatment. This article focuses on the cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations, and the current preventative and acute interventions available.
authors: Academic Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Free Campus, UCL Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK. alexander.mackay@ucl.ac.uk
authors: Alex J
authors: AJ
authors: Mackay
authors: John R
authors: JR
authors: Hurst
mesh_terms: D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy