Sputum Color as a Marker for Bacteria in Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Diagnosing bacterial infection as the etiology in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPDs) remains challenging. Sputum discoloration is easily measured and often used as a marker of bacterial infection in AECOPD, although high-quality evidence for this practice is lacking. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of sputum color as a marker for bacteria in AECOPD.

Sputum colour as a marker for bacteria in acute exacerbations of COPD: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of years of life lost globally. Acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) drive disease progression, reduce quality of life and are a source of mortality in COPD. Approximately 50% of AECOPD are due to bacterial infections.