Table 1

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteriaExclusion criteria

  • Hospitalised patients with AECOPD*

  • Fever, axillary temperature ≥38°C

  • ≥40 years of age

  • Pneumonia identified by X-ray or CT of the chest

  • Able to understand and communicate to ensure the completion of the trial

  • Severe respiratory failure requiring admittance to ICU

  • Concurrent infection at another site (eg, urinary tract infection)

  • Voluntary participation and provide written informed consent

  • Immunosuppression secondary to chemotherapy, AIDS or malignant tumour of blood system

 

  • Comorbidities requiring corticosteroids (at least prednisone 30 mg/day or equivalent for more than 30 days)

 

  • Invasive mechanical ventilation

 

  • Patients with malignant tumours receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy

 

  • Pregnancy

 

  • Participation in another clinical trial

 

  • Previously enrolment into the study

 

  • Refuse to attend

  • *The diagnostic criteria for AECOPD are based on the recommendation in Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease guideline.4

  • AECOPD, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; AIDS, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; CT, computer tomography; ICU, intensive care unit.