Effect of Nebulized Corticosteroids Combined with Intravenous Corticosteroids on Patients with Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

WU Bangyin; GONG Lili; QIN Yonggang

doi:10.14033/j.cnki.cfmr.2025.30.016

Abstract：Objective:To explore the effectiveness and safety of nebulized corticosteroids used in combination with intravenous corticosteroids for treating acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD),and to offer a scientific foundation for clinical decision-making processes. Method:A retrospective study was carried out to analyze the clinical records of 154 patients diagnosed with AECOPD who were admitted to Wuhan Hanyang Hospital between January 2021 and December 2023.Based on the therapeutic regimens they received,these patients were divided into two groups:an observation group(treated with nebulized corticosteroids plus intravenous corticosteroids,n=62)and a control group(treated with nebulized corticosteroids alone,n=92).The following indicators were compared between the two groups both before and after treatment:the severity of dyspnea evaluated via the mMRC score,symptom burden measured using the CAT score,pulmonary function parameters[including forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1)and the ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity(FEV1/FVC)],length of hospital stay,treatment outcomes,and the incidence of adverse reactions. Result:After treatment,the observation group had lower mMRC and CAT scores than the control group,while their FEV1 values and FEV1/FVC ratios were higher;all these differences reached statistical significance(P<0.05).Additionally,the observation group had a longer length of hospital stay compared to the control group,and this difference was also statistically significant(P<0.05).No statistically significant difference was found in treatment safety between the two groups(P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with monotherapy using nebulized corticosteroids,the combined therapy of nebulized and intravenous corticosteroids significantly enhances dyspnea relief,symptom improvement,and pulmonary function in AECOPD patients,without raising the risk of adverse reactions.This combined therapeutic approach exhibits favorable clinical effectiveness and safety profiles.