Effect of supplementary therapy with budesonide on acute exacerbation of COPD

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of supplementary therapy with budesonide on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Sixty patients presenting with acute exacerbation of COPD were randomly divided into three groups. The control group received routine treatment, including nebulized β2-agonists, ipratropium bromide, antibiotics, and supplemental oxygen. The budesonide group and the methylprednisolone group received combined therapy of routine treatment and nebulized budesonide or intravenous infusion of methylprednisolone, respectively. All patients underwent the measurement of pulmonary function and arterial blood gas analysis. Results The FEV1% and blood gas parameters were more significantly improved in the budesonide group and methylprednisolone group than those in the control group, while there was no difference in FEV1% and blood gas parameters between budesonide group and methylprednisolone group. Conclusions Nebulized budesonide may be an alternative to systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of acute exacerbations of COPD.