Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026
Author Spotlight: Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sleep Disorders in Acute COPD — A Safe, Cost-Effective Approach
Published on: October 18, 2024
Bacterial infections in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and
Mohsen Moghoofei1, Sadegh Azimzadeh Jamalkandi2, Masood Moein3
1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
Objective:
Due to the importance of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as the fourth cause of mortality worldwide and the lack of studies evaluating the prevalence of bacterial infections in disease exacerbation, this systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to determine the prevalence rate of bacterial infections in COPD patients.
Methods:
PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus databases were systematically searched for population-based prevalence studies (1980-2018). MeSH terms for "Bacterial infections" and "AECOPD" were used as search keywords. The selected studies were filtered according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Fixed and random-effects models were used for estimation of summary effect sizes. Between-study heterogeneity, as well as publication bias, were calculated.
Results:
Finally, 118 out of 31,440 studies were selected. The overall estimation of the prevalence of bacterial infection was 49.59% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4418-0.55]. The heterogeneity in estimating the pooled prevalence of bacterial infections was shown in the studies (Cochran Q test: 6615, P < 0.0001, I2 = 98.23%). In addition, S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus were the most prevalent reported bacteria.
Conclusions:
Our results as the first meta-analysis for the issue demonstrated that bacterial infections are an important risk factor for AECOPD. Further studies must be performed for understanding the exact role of bacterial agents in AECOPD and help physicians for more applicable preventive and therapeutic measurements.
Insights
Bacterial infections are prevalent in nearly half of patients experiencing exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This systematic review highlights bacterial infections as a significant risk factor in AECOPD, emphasizing the need for further research.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a leading global cause of mortality.
- Bacterial infections are frequently implicated in COPD exacerbations, but their prevalence is not well-established.
- Limited studies exist on the prevalence of bacterial infections during COPD exacerbations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of bacterial infections in patients with COPD.
- To identify the most common bacterial pathogens associated with exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD).
Main Methods:
- Systematic search of PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus databases for population-based prevalence studies from 1980-2018.
- Keywords included "Bacterial infections" and "AECOPD".
- Fixed and random-effects models were used to estimate pooled prevalence, with heterogeneity and publication bias assessed.
Main Results:
- 118 studies were selected from 31,440 initially identified.
- The overall estimated prevalence of bacterial infection in COPD patients was 49.59% (95% CI: 0.4418-0.55).
- High heterogeneity was observed (I² = 98.23%). Common bacteria included S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus.
Conclusions:
- This meta-analysis, the first of its kind, indicates that bacterial infections are a significant risk factor for AECOPD.
- Further research is crucial to elucidate the precise role of bacterial agents in AECOPD.
- Findings aim to aid physicians in developing more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
04:53Acupoint Application Combined with Ear Plaster Therapy for Treating Sleep Disorders with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
04:03Alternative Therapy for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Moving Cupping Along Meridians
01:22Chronic 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...
02:34Auricular Acupressure as an Adjuvant Treatment for Wheezing in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
08:17Generation of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Model in Mice by Repeated Ozone Exposure
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction