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Exacerbations in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Survey on the criteria of pescription of systemic corticoids and antibiotics by general practicioners and chest physicians
Louis R , Ziant S , Duchesnes C , Giet D , Schleich F , Corhay JL
Rev Med Liege 2018, 73(11),570-574Abstract : Exacerbations in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are critical events in the evolution of the disease. They are generally defined by the need to be temporarily treated by systemic corticoids and/or antibiotics. Very few studies have examined the criteria on which clinicians including general practitioners (GP) and chest physicians are basing their decision to prescribe. Here we report the results of a survey conducted in GP and chest physicians that looked at the clinical criteria judged as important to initiate a course of systemic corticoids or antibiotics in asthma and COPD. Our finding show discrepancy between GP and chest physicians regarding systemic corticoids but also, more surprisingly, within the same professional group. In contrast, criteria to prescribe antibiotics are more coherent between and within the groups.
