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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2000; 21(2): 0073-0078
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-9845
Copyright © 2000 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Epidemiology of Chronic Bronchitis and Acute Infective Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis

Namjin Kim, Kenneth V. Leeper, Jr.
  • Department of Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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Publication History

Publication Date:
03 March 2004 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECBs) are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States, resulting in significant cost to the health care system. Epidemiological information on chronic bronchitis is abundant and has been collected in most industrialized countries. The epidemiology of AECB, however, is less forthcoming. The causes of AECB are multifactorial and include environmental pollutants, allergic responses, and viral and bacterial infections. The role of bacterial infection in AECB is controversial but is believed to account for half of AECB. Because the medical and economic implications of treatment failure in these patients are substantial, an aggressive approach to stratify and treat these patients is necessary. Epidemiological data on chronic bronchitis and acute infective exacerbations of chronic bronchitis will allow us to more precisely define the role of bacterial infection in AECB, and this information may help guide antimicrobial therapy.

KEYWORD

COPD - chronic bronchitis - epidemiology - risk factors - acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB)

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