Managing hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the United States and is a common diagnosis in outpatient and inpatient settings. COPD exacerbations account for more than 800,000 hospital admissions annually and are most commonly caused by viral or bacterial infections. This article reviews management of patients with COPD exacerbations, including recommended diagnostic evaluations and treatments.

Expression of the Lymphocyte Chemokine XCL1 in Lung Tissue of COPD Mice, and Its Relationship to CD4+/CD8+ Ratio and IL-2

“…The etiology and pathogenesis of this disease are still not clear. Chronic airway inflammation is considered the most important component of the pathogenesis of COPD [1]. Another pathological feature of COPD is T lymphocyte infiltration in airway mucosa and lung parenchyma [2].…”