ABSTRACT
Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are characterized by changes in the patient’s baseline dyspnea, cough, and/or sputum that are beyond normal day-to-day variations, that are acute in onset, and that may warrant a change in regular medication (1). The frequency and severity of exacerbations increase with disease severity and are associated with poorer quality of life and health outcomes, with a greater burden on health care (2), accelerated decline of lung function (3), and increased risk of death. For all these reasons, exacerbations are a major target of prevention and treatment in patients with COPD (1).
