ABSTRACT

Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are now recognised to be an important cause of the considerable morbidity and mortality found in COPD and an important cause of impaired health status [1,2]. An exacerbation of COPD is described as an acute worsening of respiratory symptoms associated with a variable degree of physiological deterioration. However, some symptoms are more important in the description of an exacerbation than others, and Anthonisen and colleagues pointed out some years ago that the most common exacerbation symptoms were increased dyspnea, sputum purulence, and increased sputum volume [3]. Other symptoms associated with exacerbation include upper airway symptoms or those associated with cold, increased cough, and wheeze [2].