Bronchoscopic validation of the significance of sputum purulence in severe exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

The self-reporting presence of purulence in the sputum, as well as common previous exacerbations and hospitalisations due to COPD in patients with severe airflow obstruction (FEV1% <50) predict the presence of bacterial infection in the distal airways. The use of these clinical variables may help in selecting candidates to receive antibiotic treatment.