This information is for reference purposes only. It was current when produced and may now be outdated. Archive material is no longer maintained, and some links may not work. Persons with disabilities having difficulty accessing this information should contact us at: https://info.ahrq.gov. Let us know the nature of the problem, the Web address of what you want, and your contact information.
Please go to www.ahrq.gov for current information.
Full Title: Management of Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
September 2000
View or download Summary/Report
Structured Abstract
Objectives: This report describes evidence about the clinical assessment and management of patients presenting with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a frequent cause of health care utilization, mortality, and decreased quality of life.
Search Strategy: Databases searched were MEDLINE® (from 1966 to June 1999), EMBASE (from 1974 to February 1999), and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (1998 Issue 4). Search strategies included index terms and text words for "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease" and "acute exacerbation," and specific terms relating to interventions and methodology.
Selection Criteria: The population of interest was the adult with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (based on clinical diagnosis, spirometry, or known or suspected history) with an acute exacerbation of respiratory symptoms (increasing dyspnea, sputum quantity, or sputum purulence; or acute respiratory failure). Interventions considered were clinical assessment (including history and physical examination), antibiotics, bronchodilating drugs, corticosteroids, mucolytic drugs, chest physiotherapy, and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. For efficacy of therapeutic interventions, only randomized and other prospective controlled trials were considered. Data on adverse effects were obtained from these trials and from additional cohort studies and case series. For clinical assessment, retrospective and prospective cohort studies and case series were considered. Outcomes of interest were ventilatory function and respiratory symptoms, short-term mortality, and health services utilization.
Data Collection and Analysis: At least two reviewers independently screened citations; references included by either rater were retained. Full reports were reevaluated according to the selection criteria and data describing study population, study design, interventions, and outcomes. Quality was assessed based on criteria related to external validity (characterization of the study population) and internal validity.
Main Results: Acute clinically significant abnormalities on chest roentgenography (e.g., evidence of infiltrate or pulmonary edema) are common in patients presenting with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but they are not well predicted by history or physical examination.
Data on acute respiratory physiology, baseline pulmonary status, general health status, and past response to treatment were predictive of treatment failure, short-term mortality, and the need for mechanical ventilation in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Together, all types of data were only moderately predictive of short-term prognosis.
Antibiotics, beta2-agonists, anticholinergic bronchodilating drugs, and corticosteroids demonstrated benefit. Methylxanthines were associated with high risk of toxicity. Mucolytic drugs and chest physiotherapy were not shown to be effective.
In patients with acute respiratory failure, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation compared with conservative management reduced mortality and the need for endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation compared with mechanical ventilation led to reduced mortality and fewer complications. The literature is limited by the lack of agreement on a precise definition of acute exacerbation and by the lack of a consistent scale for grading the severity of exacerbations.
Conclusions: Although many factors are associated with poor outcomes in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it is not possible to formulate accurate, clinically useful predictions concerning patients' prognoses. Hence, ongoing clinical monitoring is necessary for many patients. Several conservative therapies utilized for the management of acute exacerbation show benefit (antibiotics, corticosteroids, and bronchodilators); however, some therapies lack evidence of efficacy (mucolytics and physical therapy). The more aggressive strategy of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation benefits some patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute respiratory failure.
Download Report
Management of Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Evidence-based Practice Center: Duke University
Topic Nominators: Kaiser Permanente, American College of Physicians, Department of Veterans Affairs, American Lung Association, American College of Chest Physicians, American Thoracic Society
Current as of September 2000
540 Gaither Road Rockville, MD 20850