Allegra / Blasi Mechanisms and Management of COPD Exacerbations

Erscheinungsjahr 2012
ISBN: 978-88-470-2115-0
Verlag: Springer Italia
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 1 - PDF Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, 101 Seiten, eBook

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an increasingly important health problem world-wide. Whereas most other leading diseases have shown a decline in the past decades, COPD morbidity and mortality is on a steady increase. Exacerbations are usually defined as an increase in cough, a change in the colour or quantity of sputum, and a worsening dyspnea. The role of bacterial infections and the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECD) is still controversial. Exacerbations of chronic bronchitis are a common occurrence in clinical practice and are a leading cause of antibiotic prescription among respiratory infections. It is still uncertain whether each new exacerbation may deteriorate the natural history of chronic bronchitis. Undoubtedly, every episode includes a temporary worsening in lung function and may therefore pose the threat of respiratory failure or death in more severely obstructed patients.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Allegra, L.

Blasi, F.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Chronic Bronchitis and Its Exacerbations: Definitions and Evaluations.- COPD Epidemiology and Natural History.- Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis: In Search of a Definition.- Acute Exacerbations of COPD: Methods and Role of Microbiology.- Acute Exacerbations of COPD: Aetiology and Antibiotic Resistance.- Severe Acute Exacerbations of COPD: Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Treatment.- Antibiotics in the Treatment of Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis: A Review of Controlled Clinical Trials.- Infection and Antibiotic Treatment in Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis.- Designing Future Clinical Trials for Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis.- Perspectives and Perceptions on the Management of Acute Exacerbations of COPD.