Treatment of acute exacerbations of COPD

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, is increasing worldwide and is projected to be the third leading cause of death in the United States by the year 2020 (1). It affects nearly 16 million Americans, and more than $18 billion is spent annually on medications, physician visits, and hospitalizations. COPD is characterized by chronic airflow obstruction with episodic acute exacerbations, which result in increased morbidity and mortality. Patients hospitalized with exacerbations have an overall mortality rate of 3% to 4%, and up to 24% of patients requiring care in the intensive care unit die (2). Since forced expiratory volume in 1 second correlates closely with life expectancy and exacerbation rate, early diagnosis (through spirometric testing) and prevention may reduce acute exacerbations and health care costs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)28-36
Number of pages9
JournalClinical Cornerstone
Volume5
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2003

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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