Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in over 16s: diagnosis and management

Recommendation ID: NG115/5
Question: Prophylactic antibiotics for preventing exacerbations:- Which subgroups of people with stable COPD who are at high risk of exacerbations are most likely to benefit from prophylactic antibiotics?
Any explanatory notes (if applicable): Why this is important:- People with COPD commonly experience exacerbations, which have a negative impact on their quality of life and are linked to worse disease prognosis. Certain groups of people with COPD are at higher risk of exacerbations, and reducing the number of exacerbations they experience should improve quality of life for them and their families. However, subgroups of these people may benefit particularly from this treatment.
Identifying and targeting prophylactic antibiotics for these people should help improve their quality of life. It may also identify people who would not benefit from prophylactic antibiotics, and so reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance by reducing the overall number of people taking prophylactic antibiotics for COPD. Randomised trials that include subgroup analysis of participants based on factors such as biomarkers, clinical features, bacterial patterns and comorbidities could provide useful information on this topic.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in over 16s: diagnosis and management
Number: NG115
Date issued: December 2018

Is this a recommendation for the use of a technology only in the context of research?	No
Is it a recommendation that suggests collection of data or the establishment of a register?	No
Last Reviewed	31/12/2018