PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Hurst, J R
AU  - Wedzicha, J A
TI  - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the clinical management of an acute exacerbation
AID  - 10.1136/pgmj.2004.019182
DP  - 2004 Sep 01
TA  - Postgraduate Medical Journal
PG  - 497--505
VI  - 80
IP  - 947
4099  - http://pmj.bmj.com/content/80/947/497.short
4100  - http://pmj.bmj.com/content/80/947/497.full
SO  - Postgrad Med J2004 Sep 01; 80
AB  - 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.