Using Procalcitonin to Guide Therapy for Acute COPD Exacerbations

Antibiotic therapy beyond 24 hours did not reduce readmission rates in hospitalized patients with low procalcitonin concentration.

Although nearly half of all acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are not associated with bacterial infection, antibiotics are frequently prescribed. Prior studies have suggested that the use of serum biomarkers of bacterial infection, such as procalcitonin (PCT), could lower antibiotic use in patients with AECOPD by more than 50%.

Now, investigators have conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the effect of antibiotics on 356 hospitalized patients admitted to a general medical floor with AECOPD and low PCT concentrations. PCT levels were obtained within 24 hours of admission; if values were <0.25 μg/L, antibiotic therapy was discouraged. A total of 161 patients received ≤24 hours of antibiotic therapy (of…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Using Procalcitonin to Guide Therapy for Acute COPD Exacerbations

Topics

Reviewing Author