COPD-EXACERBATION CAUSES

SUMMARY

BACTERIAL
1. H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae, M. catarrahalis, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia
2. Pseudomonas, Staph in more advanced disease
3. Lower airway colonisation common
4. More likely with increased volume and purulence of sputum and elevated inflammatory markers

VIRAL
5. Influenza, rhinovirus, RSV, metapneumovirus

NON-INFECTIOUS
6. Pulmonary embolism: 1 in 4 exacerbations (of those without a clear cause)
7. Environmental pollution
8. Small particulate matter and gaseous pollution
9. LVF
10. Pneumothorax
11. Sedation
12. Psychosocial stressors/Anxiety

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].