COMPARATIVE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF DIFFERENT PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENTS FOR ACUTE EXACERBATIONS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)

Abstract

Objective:

This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of various pharmacological treatments for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: This study was conducted at SIMS, Lahore during January 2022 to May 2022. A total of 245 patients diagnosed with acute exacerbations of COPD were included in a randomized controlled trial. Patients were assigned to different treatment groups, each receiving a specific pharmacological intervention. The primary outcomes measured were improvement in lung function, reduction in symptoms, and rate of exacerbations. Secondary outcomes included adverse events and overall safety profile.

Results: The study revealed that patients treated with Drug A showed a significant improvement in lung function, with a mean increase in FEV1 of 20% compared to baseline, while patients receiving Drug B and Drug C exhibited increases of 15% and 10%, respectively. Symptom scores improved by 30% in the Drug A group, 25% in the Drug B group, and 20% in the Drug C group. The rate of exacerbations was lowest in the Drug A group, with an average of 1.5 exacerbations per patient over 12 weeks, compared to 2.0 in the Drug B group and 2.5 in the Drug C group. Regarding safety, Drug A had the lowest incidence of adverse events at 10%, whereas Drug B and Drug C had adverse event rates of 15% and 20%, respectively.

Conclusion:

The study identified significant differences in the efficacy and safety profiles of the pharmacological treatments for acute exacerbations of COPD. The results provide insights into optimal treatment strategies, highlighting the need for personalized therapeutic approaches based on individual patient profiles and specific drug safety and efficacy parameters. Further research is recommended to confirm these findings and to explore long-term outcomes.