title: Hospital management of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: The course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often complicated by episodes of acute worsening of respiratory symptoms, which may lead to escalation of therapy and occasionally emergency department visits and hospitalization. Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) have a negative impact on quality of life and hasten the decline of lung function. They also significantly contribute to the direct and indirect healthcare costs of this disease. Severe exacerbations (those leading to hospital admission) have been associated with significant poor outcomes including an increased risk of readmissions and mortality. COPD is currently the fourth leading cause of hospital readmission in the United States. In this review, we will provide a broad overview on the etiology, assessment, management, discharge planning, and follow-up care of patients hospitalized with AECOPD.
authors.affiliation: Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Amit D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Parulekar
authors.forename: Nicola A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Hanania
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D010351:Patient Discharge; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D010100:Oxygen