AE - COPD

1.  An exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined as

 "an acute event characterized by a worsening of the patient's respiratory symptoms that is beyond normal day-to-day variations and leads to a change in medication" 

by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), a report produced by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

1.  This generally includes an acute change in one or more of the following cardinal symptoms:

●Cough increases in frequency and severity

●Sputum production increases in volume and/or changes character

●Dyspnea increases