Effect of Corticosteroid Therapy in Patients With an Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Receiving Ventilatory Support

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of chest diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, preventable, and 
treatable disease characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation that is due to 
airway and/or alveolar abnormalities, usually caused by significant exposure to noxious particles or 
gases. The chronic airflow limitation that characterizes COPD is caused by a mixture of small airway 
disease (e.g., obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema) the relative 
contributions of which vary from person to person. Aim of work: The aim of the study was to 
determine the effect of systemic corticosteroids in patients with severe AECOPD admitted to 
intensive care unit (ICU) Receiving Ventilatory Support. Patients and methods: 100 patients with 
AECOPD leading to hypoxemia and respiratory acidosis with pH < 7.35 and PaCO2 > 45 mm of Hg 
admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) who were receiving ventilator support (invasive or 
noninvasive mechanical ventilation). Results: It was noticed that steroid group had significantly 
lower duration of mechanical ventilation (4.67 ± 2.76 vs. 2.76 ± 1.11 days; P= 0.01), ICU stay (5.33 ± 
2.87 vs. 7.89 ± 3.36 days; P= 0.04), hospital stay (11.65 ± 3.89 vs. 16.67 ± 4.44 days; P= 0.03).
Conclusion: Corticosteroid therapy was associated with significantly lower duration of mechanical 
ventilation, ICU stay and hospital stay.

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Minia Journal of Medical Research
Volume 31, Issue 2
April 2020
Pages 133-141

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