RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Optimal glucocorticoid dose and the effects on mortality, length of stay, and readmission rates in patients diagnosed with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD)
JF Journal of Investigative Medicine
JO J Investig Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 1161
OP 1164
DO 10.1136/jim-2019-001105
VO 67
IS 8
A1 Asim Kichloo
A1 Michael Aljadah
A1 Navya Vipparla
A1 Farah Wani
YR 2019
UL http://hw-f5-jim.highwire.org/content/67/8/1161.abstract
AB The burden of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is staggering on a national and global level. Yet, surprisingly, there is a profound lack of treatment standardization with glucocorticoids in the treatment of AECOPD. In this review, we bring attention to specific literature that use a cut-off of 60 mg prednisone equivalent per day when distinguishing between high-dose and low-dose glucocorticoid treatment. We hope this review encourages future research to begin incrementally lowering the cut-off dose of 60 mg to discover if mortality, length of hospital stays, and readmission rates change between high-dose and low-dose glucocorticoid treatment. The final hope would be to establish an optimal glucocorticoid dose to treat AECOPD and eliminate treatment ambiguity.