Antibiotics for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Source: Cochrane
Area: Evidence > Disease Focused Reviews
Background
Many patients with an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are treated with antibiotics. However, the value of antibiotics remains uncertain as systematic reviews and clinical trials have shown conflicting results.
Objectives
To assess the effects of antibiotics in the management of acute COPD exacerbations on treatment failure as observed between seven days and one month after treatment initiation (primary outcome) and on other patient-important outcomes (mortality, adverse events, length of hospital stay).
Search methods
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE and other electronically available databases up to September 2012.
Selection criteria
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in people with acute COPD ...
Source: NeLM - Disease Focused Reviews - Category: Internal Medicine Source Type: news