COMPARATIVE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF DIFFERENT PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENTS FOR ACUTE EXACERBATIONS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)
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Abstract
Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex and progressive respiratory disorder characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic inflammation of the airways.Objective: The main objective of the study is to find the comparison in efficacy and safety of different pharmacological treatments for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methodology: This retrospective observational study was conducted at Saleem Memorial Hospital Lahore from May 2024. Data were collected from 235 patients.Data were collected from patient records, covering demographic variables (age, gender, smoking history), COPD severity (as per GOLD classification), and treatment regimens. Clinical outcomes such as symptom resolution, length of hospital stay, and time to next exacerbation were recorded, alongside safety outcomes, including adverse drug reactions and antibiotic resistance.Results: Data were collected from 235 patients mean age of the patients was 65 ± 9 years, with a slight predominance of males (60%) and a high prevalence of smoking history (80%). The majority of patients were in GOLD stage III/IV (75%), reflecting severe or very severe COPD. Hypertension (40%) and diabetes (25%) were common comorbidities across all groups, suggesting a population with significant health complexities.Patients receiving combination therapies experienced the highest rates of dyspnea relief (90%), cough reduction (88%), sputum clearance (85%), and overall symptom resolution (89%). Emerging therapies also performed well, with high rates of symptom improvement across all measures, particularly in dyspnea relief (87%) and overall symptom resolution (86%). Conclusion: It is concluded that combination therapies are the most effective option for managing acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), offering superior symptom resolution, prolonged exacerbation-free periods, and shorter hospital stays with an acceptable safety profile.
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Marryam Rauf
Senior Registrar, Cardiology Department, Saleem Memorial Hospital, Lahore
Ahmed Hamad
Junior Clinical Fellow, ENT Department, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,UK
Nusrum Iqbal
Chairman Department of Internal Medicine, MD Health Center, Lahore
Bakhtawar Hasnain
Trainee Medical Officer, Medical Ward, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar
Ibraheem Rashid Shah
Medical Officer, Medicine Department, Surraya Bukhari Surgical Hospital Mailsi, District Vehari
Naser Faiz Uddin
General Practitioner, General Medicine Department, Al Hayl Medical Center, Fujairah, Rak Medical Health and Sciences Universiy, UAE
Hiba Butt
House officer, Department of Medicine, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi