University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository
Specialty
Urgent Care
Advisor
Dr. Victoria Beloy
Abstract
Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are a significant cause of morbidity and healthcare utilization, yet the role of routine antibiotic treatment remains uncertain. This review evaluates the effectiveness of antibiotics in improving clinical outcomes during AECOPD and examines whether biomarker-guided strategies optimize antibiotic prescribing. A search of PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library compiled recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews addressing antibiotic effectiveness in AECOPD. Findings indicate that antibiotics provide short-term clinical benefit in select patients with suspected bacterial AECOPD. Biomarker-guided strategies, including point-of-care C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) testing, significantly reduced antibiotic prescribing without compromising clinical outcomes. In contrast, sputum color-guided self-management demonstrated limited reliability and was associated with higher rates of treatment failure. Overall, evidence supports individualized rather than routine antibiotic prescribing. Implementing objective clinical indicators and validated biomarkers may enhance antibiotic stewardship while maintaining patient safety and achieving similar patient outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Awad D. Antibiotic Utilization in Acute COPD Exacerbations. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2026; 8(1).
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