CHAPTER 80 ANTIBIOTICS IN COPD EXACERBATIONS

Antibiotics in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations. A Meta-Analysis

Saint S, Bent S, Vittinghoff E, Grady D. JAMA. 1995;273(12):957–960

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and serious condition, affecting 6% of the US population and killing 120,000 people per year, with an economic impact of $39 billion annually. Prior to this study, antibiotics were routinely administered to patients presenting with COPD exacerbations despite the fact that viral upper respiratory tract infections were the most common cause of such exacerbations. Previous studies examining the effect of routine antibiotics on COPD exacerbations were limited by small sample sizes.

OBJECTIVES

To determine if and to what extent routine administration of antibiotics to patients with COPD exacerbations affects outcomes.

METHODS

Meta-analysis with a priori article inclusion and exclusion criteria of articles from multiple databases published between 1955 and 1994.

Patients

Related posts:

Oral vs. IV Rehydration Spontaneous Ureteral Stone Passage Heparinizing Unstable Angina Amiodarone in Ventricular Fibrillation Bicarbonate Therapy in DKA CT Before Lumbar Puncture in Meningitis

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Join