Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Typically presents with an increased level of dyspnea, worsening of chronic cough, and/or an increase in the volume and/or purulence of the sputum produced.

May represent the first presentation of COPD, usually associated with a history of tobacco exposure.

Treatment includes bronchodilators, systemic corticosteroids, and antibiotics.

Antibiotics may be reserved for exacerbations thought to be due to bacteria. An acute change in the volume and color of sputum produced is suggestive of a bacterial trigger.

Treatment may be complicated by the development of hyperglycemia (associated with the use of corticosteroids) and/or diarrhea, including Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (associated with the use of antibiotics).

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 gases."[1]Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. November 2017 [internet publication] http://goldcopd.org/gold-reports/

An exacerbation of COPD may be defined as "an acute worsening of respiratory symptoms that results in additional therapy."[1]Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. November 2017 [internet publication] http://goldcopd.org/gold-reports/