Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
07:10
Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: August 24, 2019
COPD exacerbations in general practice: variability in oral prednisolone courses.
Marianne de Vries1, Annette J Berendsen, Henk E P Bosveld
1Department of General Practice, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, FA 20, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands.
BMC Family Practice
|January 14, 2012
Summary
General practitioners (GPs) prescribe oral corticosteroids for COPD exacerbations similarly, but vary widely in treatment duration. Guidance is needed on adjusting corticosteroid therapy for exacerbation severity and diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- General Practice
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Oral corticosteroids are standard for COPD exacerbations in primary care.
- Optimal dosage and duration remain controversial due to side effects like hyperglycemia.
- Variations in prescribing practices may impact patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine prescribing variations in prednisolone dosage and duration for COPD exacerbations among GPs.
- To investigate whether GPs adjust treatment based on diabetic comorbidity.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 219 general practitioners (GPs) and 25 GPs in training in the Northern Netherlands.
- Data collected on prednisolone dosage, duration, and adjustments for diabetic comorbidity.
Main Results:
- High adherence to a 30 mg daily dose of prednisolone.
- Significant variation in treatment duration, with 5, 7, 10, or 14-day courses observed.
- Treatment duration correlated with exacerbation and disease severity; shorter courses for less severe cases.
- Minimal adjustment of treatment based on the presence of diabetes.
Conclusions:
- GPs generally adhere to Dutch guidelines for prednisolone dosage.
- Lack of clear guidance on tailoring corticosteroid treatment to exacerbation/disease severity and diabetic comorbidity.
- Substantial variation in treatment duration persists due to insufficient guidance.
Related Concept Videos
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...
01:29Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) involves a multifaceted approach to reduce symptoms, prevent exacerbations, improve overall health status, and slow disease progression. Key strategies include lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy, supportive therapies, and, in some cases, surgery. Here is an overview of the primary COPD management strategies:
Smoking Cessation
Smoking Cessation
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-lasting respiratory condition requiring continuous attention and care. It is a progressive lung disease that leads to breathing challenges due to airflow obstruction. It manifests as persistent respiratory symptoms and restricted airflow resulting from abnormalities in the airways and alveoli, usually due to long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases. COPD mainly consists of two primary conditions: emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
COPD is defined as a heterogeneous lung condition marked by persistent respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and sputum production, caused by abnormalities in the airways that cause airflow obstruction.
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
01:13Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations
Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory drugs used primarily in treating persistent asthma and providing long-term maintenance. They target the bronchial mucosa, the lining of the airways, to control inflammation, a critical factor in asthma progression and exacerbation.
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...