Y P de Jong

Dr Y P de Jong, Isala Klinieken, Zwolle, The Netherlands; y.p.de.jong@isala.nl

STUDY DESIGN

Design:

randomised, placebo controlled, non-inferiority trial.

Allocation:

unclear concealment.*

Blinding:

blinded (patients).*

STUDY QUESTION

Setting:

single hospital in Zwolle, the Netherlands.

Patients:

210 patients >40 years of age (mean age 71 y, 75% men) who were admitted to hospital for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation (history of increased breathlessness and >1 of the following for ⩾24 hours: increased cough frequency or severity, increased sputum volume or purulence, and increased wheeze), had a history of ⩾10 pack-years cigarette smoking, and evidence of airflow limitation (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV₁]/forced vital capacity ratio <70% and FEV₁ <80% predicted). Exclusion criteria included very severe exacerbation of …