Antibiotics for COPD: Further Evidence of Benefit

Inpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations had better outcomes when treated with both steroids and antibiotics.

Patients who are admitted with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are treated routinely with steroids and bronchodilators. However, the incremental benefit of antibiotic therapy is unclear, despite some promising results from previous studies (e.g., JW Gen Med Jun 3 2010).

Investigators retrospectively studied 53,900 patients admitted to inpatient wards with acute exacerbations of COPD (not critically ill or requiring ventilatory support). Patients were drawn from a pool of U.S. hospitals, predominantly urban (83%), nonteaching (66%), and located in the South (52%). Patients who received both steroids and antibiotics were compared with those who received steroids alone.

In-hospital mortality was low in both groups b…

Reviewing Author

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar

Patricia Kritek, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsATS Scholar

Antibiotics for COPD: Further Evidence of Benefit

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Reviewing Author