TY - JOUR T1 - Does sputum, biochemical and radiological markers of infection correlate with antibiotic prescribing in acute exacerbations of COPD? JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 44 IS - Suppl 58 SP - P2585 AU - Jamie Talbot AU - Rebecca Dickinson AU - Joanne Thompson AU - Karen Thompson AU - Jaymin Morjaria Y1 - 2014/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P2585.abstract N2 - BackgroundAcute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) may be due to bacterial or viral infection or exposure to irritants. Anecdotally we have observed antibiotic prescribing with no evidence of bacterial infection. We aimed to compare clinical and biochemical admission characteristics with antibiotic prescribing during AECOPD.MethodsWe reviewed two months of AECOPD admissions to our tertiary hospital collecting data on sputum volume and purulence, total white cell count (WCC), C-reactive protein (CRP), CXR changes and antibiotic prescribing.Results117 (74%) of all admission case notes were reviewed (mean age 72.5 yr; 58M, 59F). 89 (76%) patients received antibiotics for their exacerbation. Table 1 summarises antibiotic prescribing related to inflammatory markers and change in sputum and CXR.View this table:Appropriate antibiotic prescribing (100%) was given to all patients with raised WCC and CRP with consolidation, and raised WCC and CRP with sputum change. However 68% of patients with normal WCC and CRP received antibiotics.ConclusionPatients with infective symptoms and raised biomarkers are being appropriately treated. However there are patients who receive antibiotics with no evidence of bacterial infection with subsequent unnecessary medications and antibiotic resistance. ER -