Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026

Ginger Moxibustion, A Non-pharmacological Treatment, for Diarrhea in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Published on: December 27, 2024
Systematic review and meta-analysis of prophylactic antibiotics in COPD and/or chronic bronchitis
1Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and Clinical Research Center for Chronic Obstructive Airway Diseases, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Exacerbations contribute substantially to the morbidity and mortality associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Objectives:
To assess whether prophylactic antibiotic treatment reduces exacerbations in patients with COPD and/or chronic bronchitis.
Methods:
Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Koreamed and references from relevant publications were searched up to October 2011. Randomised controlled trials comparing the effect of any prophylactic antibiotics with placebo for at least 3 months were included. The co-primary outcomes were the frequency of exacerbations of COPD or chronic bronchitis and adverse treatment events.
Results:
A total of 19 trials involving 3932 subjects were included in the analysis: 5 recent trials included patients with moderate to severe COPD, whereas 14 older trials included patients with chronic bronchitis. The use of antibiotics significantly reduced the rate of COPD exacerbations (risk ratio [RR] 0.73, 95%CI 0.66-0.82), the number of chronic bronchitis exacerbations (standardised mean difference -0.23, 95%CI -0.35--0.11) and the proportion of patients with exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (RR 0.93, 95%CI 0.87-0.99).
Conclusion:
Prophylactic antibiotic treatment has a significant effect in reducing exacerbations in patients with COPD and/or chronic bronchitis.
Related Concept Videos
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
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...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction
