BET 1: is the patient’s perception of shortness of breath a useful triage tool in exacerbations of COPD?

A shortcut review was carried out to establish whether the degree of breathlessness in patients with an acute exacerbation of COPD is indicative of the severity of the exacerbation. Three hundred and forty-seven papers were found using the reported searches, of which five presented the best available evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these five papers are tabulated. It is concluded that increased shortness of breath is associated with a worse prognosis in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD. Dyspnoea assessment should be included in the triage process.

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Efficacy of therapy with Berodual N by means of small spacers in patients with acute exacerbations of obstructive pulmonary diseases

Russian Pulmonology ◽

10.18093/0869-0189-2005-0-6-86-90 ◽

2005 ◽

pp. 86-90

Author(s):

S. N. Avdeev ◽

G. S. Nuralieva ◽

S. Z. Batin ◽

A. G. Chuchalin

Keyword(s):

Adverse Events ◽

Respiratory Rate ◽

Acute Exacerbation ◽

Pulmonary Diseases ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Acute Exacerbation Of Copd ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Acute Exacerbations ◽

Dyspnea Score ◽

Exacerbation Of Copd

The randomized controlled single hospital centre study assessed the efficacy of therapy with Berodual N (fenoterol / ipratropium) delivered by means of small spacers in patients with acute exacerbations of obstructive pulmonary diseases. Inclusion criteria were acute exacerbation of COPD or asthma, age 18–75 yrs, FEV1 30–60 %, no need for respiratory support. 61 patients with COPD or asthma (M : F = 37 : 24, mean age 59 ± 8 yrs; FEV1 — 40 ± 11 %, SpO2 = 94 ± 2 %) were randomized to Berodual N 2 inhalations via MDI (n = 31) or Berodual N 2 inhalations via spacer-MDI (n = 30). Therapy with Berodual N in both groups of patients led to statistically significant improvement in FEV1, FVC and IC, and to decrease in respiratory rate and dispnea. Therapy with Berodual N via spacer-MDI resulted in more significant improvement of FVC and IC (difference between groups after 0.5 and 1 h after inhalation: р < 0.05). Dyspnea score also improved more significantly in patients received Berodual N via spacer-MDI (difference between groups after 0.5 and 1 h after inhalation: р < 0.05). The incidence of adverse events was similar between the groups. Conclusion: in patients with acute exacerbations of obstructive pulmonary diseases therapy with Berodual N by means of small spacers and MDI is more effective in comparison with MDI only.

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A prospective observational study on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in pulmonology department of tertiary care hospital

Egyptian Journal of Bronchology ◽

10.1186/s43168-020-00047-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sreenu Thalla ◽

Akhila Yerubandi ◽

Sk. Hafeezunnisa ◽

Sk. Jareena ◽

Sivakshari Makkapati

Keyword(s):

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Observational Study ◽

Pulmonary Disease ◽

Acute Exacerbation ◽

Prospective Observational Study ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Acute Exacerbation Of Copd ◽

Acute Exacerbations ◽

Exacerbation Of Copd

Abstract Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, preventable, and treatable disease that is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation that is due to airway and/or alveolar abnormalities usually caused by significant exposure to noxious particles or gasses. An acute exacerbation of COPD refers to a flare up or episode where a person breathing becomes worse than normal. An acute exacerbation of COPD refers to a flare up or episode where a person breathing becomes worse than normal. Acute exacerbation in COPD (AECOPD) is frequent in the course of the illness and is the most common reason for medical visits, hospital admissions, and mortality among these patients. Exacerbations of COPD are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. To assess the exposure and severity of acute exacerbations of COPD with COPD Assessment Test (CAT Scale) and mMRC (modified Medical Research Council) Dyspnea scale. Study design was a hospital-based prospective observational study. Study site was conducted at Pulmonology Department of Government General Hospital, Vijayawada. Results The total patients were 197. Out of which, 119 were from In-patient Department (IPD) and 78 were from Out-patient Department (OPD). In this study, males were 167 (85%), among which, IPD were 97 (49%), OPD were 70 (36%), and females were 30 (15%), among which, IPD were 22 (11%), OPD were 8 (4%). Conclusion The morbidity and mortality of COPD have been increased in recent years. This study concludes that there is a relation between risk of acute exacerbations in COPD with habitual history and occupational history. Increase in exposure to occupational hazards, smoking habit leads to an increase in risk of acute exacerbations in COPD patients. The level of severity was more in smokers and the patients who had biomass, organic dust, and mineral exposure. When severity was observed, group D severity is more observed in population according to CAT scale and mMRC dyspnea scale.

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