RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Effect of erdosteine on airflow obstruction and symptom recovery in severe COPD exacerbations JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP p536 VO 38 IS Suppl 55 A1 Maurizio Moretti A1 Maria Ballabio YR 2011 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p536.abstract AB Introduction: Acute COPD exacerbations (AECOPD) represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Early and effective interventions may improve their outcome and patients' health status.Objective: This study evaluated the effect of erdosteine, an anti-oxidant mucolytic agent, on airflow limitation and symptom recovery at AECOPDMethods: 15 COPD patients hospitalized for an acute exacerbation randomly received erdosteine 900 mg daily (E) or placebo (P) for 10 days in combination with standard steroid, antibiotic and bronchodilator treatment. Pulmonary function test including spirometry (FVC, FEV1, FEF25–75) and breathlessness, cough, and sputum scale (BCSS) were measured at hospital admission, and at 10 and 30 days post-exacerbation.Results:View this table:The improvement of lung function parameters and symptom scores from baseline was significantly greater in patients receiving erdosteine. Symptom score recovery significantly correlated to improvement of airway obstruction at time 10 and 30 in the erdosteine group.Conclusions: Treatment with erdosteine plus standard therapy in AECOPD proved to be effective in improving both clinical symptoms, and large and small airway impairment. Mucolytic agents with relevant antioxidant activity may allow a more rapid and complete recovery of exacerbated patients by reducing the burst of airway inflammation.