ABSTRACT
Although difficult to define, acute exacerbations of both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and asthma are well recognized by both patients and clinicians. They present a significant health burden, causing enormous morbidity and significant mortality, and they represent a major drain on health care resources. An estimated 70% of the total expenditure on COPD is attributed to exacerbations (1), and hospital admissions alone account for 50% of total spending in asthma (2).
