Mucolytics for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis

Efthymia Papadopoulou, Jan Hansel, Zsofia Lazar, Konstantinos Kostikas, Stavros Tryfon, Jørgen Vestbo, Alexander G Mathioudakis

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

This meta-analysis explored the safety and effectiveness of mucolytics as an add-on treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. Based on a pre-registered protocol and following Cochrane methods, we systematically searched for relevant randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We used the Risk of Bias v2 tool for appraising the studies and performed random-effect meta-analyses when appropriate. We assessed certainty of evidence using GRADE. This meta-analysis included 24 RCTs involving 2192 patients with COPD exacerbations, entailing at least some concerns of methodological bias. We demonstrated with moderate certainty that mucolytics increase the rate of treatment success (relative risk 1.37, 95% CI 1.08-1.73, n=383), while they also exert benefits on overall symptom scores (standardised mean difference 0.86, 95% CI 0.63-1.09, n=316), presence of cough at follow-up (relative risk 1.93, 95% CI 1.15-3.23) and ease of expectoration (relative risk 2.94, 95% CI 1.68-5.12). Furthermore, low or very low certainty evidence suggests mucolytics may also reduce future risk of exacerbations and improve health-related quality of life, but do not impact on breathlessness, length of hospital stay, indication for higher level of care or serious adverse events. Overall, mucolytics could be considered for COPD exacerbation management. These findings should be validated in further, rigorous RCTs.

Original languageEnglish
Article number220141
JournalEuropean respiratory review : an official journal of the European Respiratory Society
Volume32
Issue number167
Early online date25 Jan 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Mar 2023

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mucolytics for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a meta-analysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this