Background: The 2015 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines recommend the use of systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Although prior guidelines did not recommend a dose or route, current guidelines recommend oral (PO) prednisone over intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone for non-ICU AECOPD hospitalizations, given [...]

Background: Consensus supports the use of corticosteroids in acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD), but route of administration and dosage still vary considerably. In one study comparing lower dose oral (PO) prednisone to higher dose intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone, the prednisone regimen was associated with comparable improvement in lung function and oxygenation but a trend toward significantly [...]