Treatment With Systemic Steroids in Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations: Use of Short Regimens in Routine Clinical Practice and Their Impact on Hospital Stay.

Introduction: It is not known whether clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of COPD exacerbations with short coursesofsystemic corticosteroids(SC-SCS) are followed in clinical practice.

Method: Prospective, observational cohort study in patients admitted due to severe COPD exacerbation. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who received SC-SCS as treatment for severe exacerbation (doses of 200-300mg for 5-6 days).