Exacerbaciones de epoc: Definición y significación pronóstica

Abstract

Considering that published information regarding exacerbations of COPD is incomplete and frequently incongruent because of the lack of a uniform definition and differences in patient selection criteria and prognostic evaluation, the problem of definitions is analyzed, finally recommending the adoption of the definition recently jointly proposed by the ATS and ERS that considers exacerbations as part of the natural history of COPD. Prognostic criteria are also examined in relation to their application to research and clinical attention