Otolaryngology, Respiratory, and Allergic
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
September 2000
Clinical Focus*
- How well does clinical assessment (including history; physical examination; and laboratory, radiographic, and other rests) discriminate between those with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) versus other causes of worsening respiratory status? How well does clinical assessment predict health outcomes or level of care needs (intensive care unit or hospital admission, return visit to the emergency room, need for ventilatory support) for patients presenting for treatment of acute exacerbation of COPD?
- How effective are the medical modalities used to treat acute exacerbation of COPD (antibiotics, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and mucous-clearing strategies) in alleviating symptoms, resolving the cause of the exacerbation, preventing hospital admission, and decreasing length of stay?
- Does the use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in patients with respiratory failure secondary to an acute exacerbation of COPD prevent intubation and/or improve other outcomes, including mortality, morbidity, length of hospital stay, and cost(s) of care?
*Addressed in the summary or evidence report.
Management of Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Summary (Publication No. 00-E020, September 2000)
Evidence Report (File Download) (Publication No. 01-E003, March 2001)
Selected Publications
EPC: 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
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