Corticosteroids for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Erdosteine reduces inflammation and time to first exacerbation postdischarge in hospitalized patients with AECOPD

Purpose

Mucolytics can improve disease outcome in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of erdosteine (ER), a mucolytic agent with antioxidant activity, on systemic inflammation, symptoms, recurrence of exacerbation, and time to first exacerbation postdischarge in hospitalized patients with AECOPD.

Patients and methods

Patients admitted to hospital with AECOPD were randomized to receive either ER 900 mg daily (n=20) or a matching control (n=20). Treatment was continued for 10 days until discharge. Patients also received standard treatment with steroids, nebulized bronchodilators, and antibiotics as appropriate. Serum C-reactive protein levels, lung function, and breathlessness–cough–sputum scale were measured on hospital admission and thereafter at days 10 and 30 posttreatment. Recurrence of AECOPD-requiring antibiotics and/or oral steroids and time to first exacerbation in the 2 months (days 30 and 60) postdischarge were also assessed.

Results

Mean serum C-reactive protein levels were lower in both groups at days 10 and 30, compared with those on admission, with significantly lower levels in the ER group at day 10. Improvements in symptom score and forced expiratory volume in 1 second were greater in the ER than the control group, which reached statistical significance on day 10. ER was associated with a 39% lower risk of exacerbations and a significant delay in time to first exacerbation (log-rank test P=0.009 and 0.075 at days 30 and 60, respectively) compared with controls.

Conclusion

Results confirm that the addition of ER (900 mg/d) to standard treatment improves outcomes in patients with AECOPD. ER significantly reduced airway inflammation, improved the symptoms of AECOPD, and prolonged time to first exacerbation. The authors suggest ER could be most beneficial in patients with recurring, prolonged, and/or severe exacerbations of COPD.

Systemic corticosteroids for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are a major cause of hospital admission and mortality. They contribute to long-term decline in lung function, physical capacity and quality of life. The most common causes are infective, and treatment includes antibiotics, bronchodilators and systemic corticosteroids as anti-inflammatory agents.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of corticosteroids administered orally or parenterally for treatment of acute exacerbations of COPD, and to compare the efficacy of parenteral versus oral administration.

SEARCH METHODS

We carried out searches using the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register of Trials, MEDLINE and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and checked references of included studies and trials registries. We conducted the last search in May 2014.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials comparing corticosteroids administered orally or parenterally with an appropriate placebo, or comparing oral corticosteroids with parenteral corticosteroids in the treatment of people with acute exacerbations of COPD. Other interventions (e.g. bronchodilators and antibiotics) were standardised for both groups. We excluded clinical studies of acute asthma.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration.

MAIN RESULTS

Sixteen studies (n = 1787) met inclusion criteria for the comparison systemic corticosteroid versus placebo and 13 studies contributed data (n = 1620). Four studies (n = 298) met inclusion criteria for the comparison oral corticosteroid versus parenteral corticosteroid and three studies contributed data (n = 239). The mean age of participants with COPD was 68 years, median proportion of males 82% and mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) per cent predicted at study admission was 40% (6 studies; n = 633). We judged risk of selection, detection, attrition and reporting bias as low or unclear in all studies. We judged risk of performance bias high in one study comparing systemic corticosteroid with control and in two studies comparing intravenous corticosteroid versus oral corticosteroid.Systemic corticosteroids reduced the risk of treatment failure by over half compared with placebo in nine studies (n = 917) with median treatment duration 14 days, odds ratio (OR) 0.48 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35 to 0.67). The evidence was graded as high quality and it would have been necessary to treat nine people (95% CI 7 to 14) with systemic corticosteroids to avoid one treatment failure. There was moderate-quality evidence for a lower rate of relapse by one month for treatment with systemic corticosteroid in two studies (n = 415) (hazard ratio (HR) 0.78; 95% CI 0.63 to 0.97). Mortality up to 30 days was not reduced by treatment with systemic corticosteroid compared with control in 12 studies (n = 1319; OR 1.00; 95% CI 0.60 to 1.66).FEV1, measured up to 72 hours, showed significant treatment benefits (7 studies; n = 649; mean difference (MD) 140 mL; 95% CI 90 to 200); however, this benefit was not observed at later time points. The likelihood of adverse events increased with corticosteroid treatment (OR 2.33; 95% CI 1.59 to 3.43). Overall, one extra adverse effect occurred for every six people treated (95% CI 4 to 10). The risk of hyperglycaemia was significantly increased (OR 2.79; 95% CI 1.86 to 4.19). For general inpatient treatment, duration of hospitalisation was significantly shorter with corticosteroid treatment (MD -1.22 days; 95% CI -2.26 to -0.18), with no difference in length of stay the intensive care unit (ICU) setting.Comparison of parenteral versus oral treatment showed no significant difference in the primary outcomes of treatment failure, relapse or mortality or for any secondary outcomes. There was a significantly increased rate of hyperglycaemia in one study (OR 4.89; 95% CI 1.20 to 19.94).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is high-quality evidence to support treatment of exacerbations of COPD with systemic corticosteroid by the oral or parenteral route in reducing the likelihood of treatment failure and relapse by one month, shortening length of stay in hospital inpatients not requiring assisted ventilation in ICU and giving earlier improvement in lung function and symptoms. There is no evidence of benefit for parenteral treatment compared with oral treatment with corticosteroid on treatment failure, relapse or mortality. There is an increase in adverse drug effects with corticosteroid treatment, which is greater with parenteral administration compared with oral treatment.

Can trial sequential monitoring boundaries reduce spurious inferences from meta-analyses?

BACKGROUND

Results from apparently conclusive meta-analyses may be false. A limited number of events from a few small trials and the associated random error may be under-recognized sources of spurious findings. The information size (IS, i.e. number of participants) required for a reliable and conclusive meta-analysis should be no less rigorous than the sample size of a single, optimally powered randomized clinical trial. If a meta-analysis is conducted before a sufficient IS is reached, it should be evaluated in a manner that accounts for the increased risk that the result might represent a chance finding (i.e. applying trial sequential monitoring boundaries).

METHODS

We analysed 33 meta-analyses with a sufficient IS to detect a treatment effect of 15% relative risk reduction (RRR). We successively monitored the results of the meta-analyses by generating interim cumulative meta-analyses after each included trial and evaluated their results using a conventional statistical criterion (alpha = 0.05) and two-sided Lan-DeMets monitoring boundaries. We examined the proportion of false positive results and important inaccuracies in estimates of treatment effects that resulted from the two approaches.

RESULTS

Using the random-effects model and final data, 12 of the meta-analyses yielded P > alpha = 0.05, and 21 yielded P </= alpha = 0.05. False positive interim results were observed in 3 out of 12 meta-analyses with P > alpha = 0.05. The monitoring boundaries eliminated all false positives. Important inaccuracies in estimates were observed in 6 out of 21 meta-analyses using the conventional P </= alpha = 0.05 and 0 out of 21 using the monitoring boundaries.

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluating statistical inference with trial sequential monitoring boundaries when meta-analyses fall short of a required IS may reduce the risk of false positive results and important inaccurate effect estimates.

Bronchodilators in COPD: impact of beta-agonists and anticholinergics on severe exacerbations and mortality

This review summarizes the long-term clinical outcomes associated with β-agonist and anticholinergic bronchodilator use in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pooled data from randomized placebo-controlled trials of at least three months duration were used to evaluate the risk for COPD hospitalizations, respiratory mortality, and total mortality. The results show that anticholinergic use is associated with a 30% reduction in COPD hospitalizations, a 70% reduction in respiratory mortality, and without a significant effect on total mortality. In contrast, β-agonist use had no effect on COPD hospitalizations and was associated with a two-fold increased risk for respiratory death compared with placebo. When the two bronchodilators were directly compared with each other, β-agonists were associated with a two-fold increased risk for COPD hospitalization and a five-fold increased risk for total mortality compared with anticholinergics. When β-agonists were added to either anticholinergic use or inhaled corticosteroid use alone, there was no significant improvement in any long-term clinical outcome. These results indicate that anticholinergics should be the bronchodilator of choice in COPD, while β-agonists may be associated with poorer disease control.

Systematic review of clinical outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: beta-agonist use compared with anticholinergics and inhaled corticosteroids

Much controversy surrounds the use of beta-agonists in obstructive lung disease. Regular beta2- agonist use in asthma results in tolerance to its effects and an increase in asthma-related deaths. Less is known about clinical outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the long-term effect of beta2-agonist use on severe exacerbations requiring hospitalization or trial withdrawal, respiratory deaths, and total mortality in patients with COPD. Results for beta2-agonists are compared with results for anticholinergics and inhaled corticosteroids. Pooled results from randomized controlled trials show that anticholinergics, such as tiotropium and ipratropium, significantly reduce severe exacerbations and respiratory deaths compared with placebo. Conversely, beta2-agonists increase respiratory deaths, probably because of tolerance that develops to their bronchodilator and bronchoprotective effects. Anticholinergics significantly reduce exacerbations and total mortality compared with beta-agonists. The combination of the two bronchodilators is not more effective than anticholinergics alone in improving long-term clinical outcomes. Inhaled corticosteroids significantly reduce severe exacerbations and the decline in lung function over time, without affecting mortality. In conclusion, inhaled anticholinergic bronchodilators and corticosteroids should be used to improve long-term clinical outcomes in patients with COPD. beta-Agonists increase respiratory deaths in COPD, possibly as a result of poorer disease control.

Oral corticosteroid use and the risk of acute myocardial infarction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Given the limited efficacy of oral corticosteroids in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the possible cardiac side effects of oral corticosteroids are of particular concern in an elderly population. The impact of the use of oral corticosteroids on the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a cohort of patients with COPD was studied.

METHODS

The Saskatchewan health services databases were used to form a population-based cohort of 5648 patients aged 55 years or older who received a first treatment for COPD between 1990 and 1997. A nested case-control analysis was conducted: 371 cases presenting with a first myocardial infarction were matched with 1864 controls according to the length of follow-up, the date of cohort entry and age. Conditional logistic regression was used to adjust for sex, severity of COPD, systemic hypertension, diabetes and prior cardiovascular disease.

RESULTS

Only the current use of corticosteroids was associated with an increased risk of AMI (adjusted RR=2.01 [95% CI 1.13 to 3.58]), particularly when the current dose was larger than 25 mg/day of prednisone or the equivalent (adjusted RR=3.22 [95% CI 1.42 to 7.34]). This observed increase in risk rapidly returned to baseline after the cessation of the medication, suggesting that the use of such high doses reflected the treatment of acute exacerbations of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

An association was found between the current use of oral corticosteroids and the occurrence of an AMI, suggesting that acute exacerbations of COPD are associated with an increased risk of acute coronary syndromes.

Chronic cough due to chronic bronchitis: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines

BACKGROUND

Chronic bronchitis is a disease of the bronchi that is manifested by cough and sputum expectoration occurring on most days for at least 3 months of the year and for at least 2 consecutive years when other respiratory or cardiac causes for the chronic productive cough are excluded. The disease is caused by an interaction between noxious inhaled agents (eg, cigarette smoke, industrial pollutants, and other environmental pollutants) and host factors (eg, genetic and respiratory infections) that results in chronic inflammation in the walls and lumen of the airways. As the disease advances, progressive airflow limitation occurs, usually in association with pathologic changes of emphysema. This condition is called COPD. When a stable patient experiences a sudden clinical deterioration with increased sputum volume, sputum purulence, and/or worsening of shortness of breath, this is referred to as an acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis as long as conditions other than acute tracheobronchitis are ruled out. The purpose of this review is to present the evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of cough due to chronic bronchitis, and to make recommendations that will be useful for clinical practice.

METHODS

Recommendations for this section of the review were obtained from data using a National Library of Medicine (PubMed) search dating back to 1950, performed in August 2004, of the literature published in the English language. The search was limited to human studies, using the search terms "cough," "chronic bronchitis," and "COPD."

RESULTS

The most effective way to reduce or eliminate cough in patients with chronic bronchitis and persistent exposure to respiratory irritants, such as personal tobacco use, passive smoke exposure, and workplace hazards is avoidance. Therapy with a short-acting inhaled beta-agonist, inhaled ipratropium bromide, and oral theophylline, and a combined regimen of inhaled long-acting beta-agonist and an inhaled corticosteroid may improve cough in patients with chronic bronchitis, but there is no proven benefit for the use of prophylactic antibiotics, oral corticosteroids, expectorants, postural drainage, or chest physiotherapy. For the treatment of an acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, there is evidence that inhaled bronchodilators, oral antibiotics, and oral corticosteroids (or in severe cases IV corticosteroids) are useful, but their effects on cough have not been systematically evaluated. Therapy with expectorants, postural drainage, chest physiotherapy, and theophylline is not recommended. Central cough suppressants such as codeine and dextromethorphan are recommended for short-term symptomatic relief of coughing.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic bronchitis due to cigarette smoking or other exposures to inhaled noxious agents is one of the most common causes of chronic cough in the general population. The most effective way to eliminate cough is the avoidance of all respiratory irritants. When cough persists despite the removal of these inciting agents, there are effective agents to reduce or eliminate cough.

Randomised, controlled trial of N-acetylcysteine for treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [ISRCTN21676344]

Background

Prophylactic treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for 3 months or more is associated with a reduction in the frequency of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This raises the question of whether treatment with NAC during an acute exacerbation will hasten recovery from the exacerbation.

Methods

We have examined this in a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Subjects, admitted to hospital with an acute exacerbation of COPD, were randomised within 24 h of admission to treatment with NAC 600 mg b.d. (n = 25) or matching placebo (n = 25). Treatment continued for 7 days or until discharge (whichever occurred first). To be eligible subjects had to be ≥ 50 years, have an FEV₁ ≤ 60% predicted, FEV₁/VC ≤ 70% and ≥ 10 pack year smoking history. Subjects with asthma, heart failure, pneumonia and other respiratory diseases were excluded. All subjects received concurrent treatment with prednisone 40 mg/day, nebulised salbutamol 5 mg q.i.d and where appropriate antibiotics. FEV₁, VC, SaO₂ and breathlessness were measured 2 hours after a dose of nebulised salbutamol, at the same time each day. Breathlessness was measured on a seven point Likert scale.

Results

At baseline FEV₁ (% predicted) was 22% in the NAC group and 24% in the control group. There was no difference between the groups in the rate of change of FEV₁, VC, SaO₂ or breathlessness. Nor did the groups differ in the median length of stay in hospital (6 days for both groups).

Conclusions

Addition of NAC to treatment with corticosteroids and bronchodilators does not modify the outcome in acute exacerbations of COPD.