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Systemic Corticosteroids for Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Acad Emerg Med. 2020 May 16;:
Authors: Killeen BM, Wolfson AB
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), currently the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, is characterized by respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation often caused by long-term exposure to noxious particles or gases, most commonly tobacco. Symptoms include dyspnea, cough, and sputum production, and episodes of acute worsening are termed exacerbations. The most common cause of exacerbations is infection, and treatments may include antibiotics, bronchodilators, and systemic corticosteroids. The latter are believed to decrease lower airway obstruction by reducing airway edema.
PMID: 32416024 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]