Mechanisms and Management of COPD Exacerbations

1. Front Matter

   Pages ii-v

   PDF

2. Chronic Bronchitis and Its Exacerbations: Definitions and Evaluations

   • L. Allegra, F. Blasi

   Pages 1-5

3. COPD Epidemiology and Natural History

   • L. Allegra, P. Tarsia

   Pages 7-23

4. Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis: In Search of a Definition

   • P. Ball

   Pages 24-35

5. Acute Exacerbations of COPD: Methods and Role of Microbiology

   • S. Chodosh

   Pages 36-44

6. Acute Exacerbations of COPD: Aetiology and Antibiotic Resistance

   • G. Nicoletti, R. Mattina, S. Stefani

   Pages 45-53

7. Severe Acute Exacerbations of COPD: Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Treatment

   • S. Ewig, N. Soler, A. Torres

   Pages 54-62

8. Antibiotics in the Treatment of Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis: A Review of Controlled Clinical Trials

   • F. Blasi, R. Cosentini

   Pages 63-72

9. Infection and Antibiotic Treatment in Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis

   • M. S. Niederman

   Pages 73-87

10. Designing Future Clinical Trials for Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis

    • M. Miravitlles

    Pages 88-99

11. Perspectives and Perceptions on the Management of Acute Exacerbations of COPD

    • L. Allegra, F. Blasi

    Pages 100-101

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.

• Atmen
• antibiotic
• antibiotics
• bacteria
• clinical trial
• diseases
• infection
• infections
• microbiology
• resistance
• respiratory failure

• Institute of Respiratory Diseases, University of Milan, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore, Milan, Italy

  Luigi Allegra, Francesco Blasi

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