Evidence-based On-call

Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Prevention

Advise patients to receive an influenza vaccination ^a

Why?

Influenza vaccination reduces frequency of exacerbations in patients with COPD (on average 0.5 fewer). ^a
It reduces pneumonia, hospitalisation and death in elderly patients ^b

Influenza vaccination reduces death and pneumonia

Patient	Treatment	Comparison	Outcome	CER	OR (95% CI)	NNT (95% CI)
elderly ^b	influenza vaccination	no influenza vaccination	death	1%	0.32 (0.24 to 0.44)	140 (130 to 170)
			hospitalisation	0.8%	0.50 (0.35 to 0.72)	260 (200 to 460)
			pneumonia	1%	0.47 (0.34 to 0.65)	150 (120 to 220)