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Postgrad Med J 2004;80:497-505 doi:10.1136/pgmj.2004.019182
  • Review

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the clinical management of an acute exacerbation

  1. J R Hurst,
  2. J A Wedzicha
  1. Academic Unit of Respiratory Medicine, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
 Professor J A Wedzicha
 Academic Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Dominion House, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London EC1A 7BE, UK; J.A.Wedzichaqmul.ac.uk
  • Received 13 January 2004
  • Accepted 23 February 2004

Abstract

Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease impose a considerable burden of morbidity, mortality, and health care cost. Management guidelines outlining best practice, based largely on consensus expert opinion, were produced by a number of organisations during the last decade. Current interest in the field is high. This has resulted in the publication of many further studies which have extended our understanding of the pathology involved and provided, for the first time, an evidence base for many of the therapeutic options. In this review we aim to bring the non-specialist reader up to date with current management principles and the evidence underlying such interventions.

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