Effects of low-dose methylprednisolone sodium succinate on lung function and blood gas function in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated with respiratory failure.

BACKGROUND

Elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated with type II respiratory failure (RF) have high morbidity and poor prognosis. Conventional therapy shows limited efficacy, while high-dose glucocorticoids easily cause adverse reactions, and targeted data on low-dose regimens are insufficient.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the pharmacological application value of low-dose methylprednisolone sodium succinate (LD-MSS) in elderly patients with COPD complicated with respiratory failure (RF).

METHODS

A total of 96 COPD patients with RF admitted to 3201 Hospital were analyzed by propensity score matching. The patients were divided into experimental group (n=48) and control group (n=48), and received LD-MSS treatment and conventional treatment respectively. The RF correction time and APACHE II score of both groups were recorded, and pre- and post-treatment lung function, blood gas function, and inflammatory factor levels were measured.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the LD-MSS group had a significantly shorter RF correction time and a significantly lower APACHE II score (P<0.05). In addition, the experimental group had better pulmonary and blood gas functions and lower levels of inflammatory factors than the control group (P<0.05). Finally, no marked difference was identified between groups in the incidence of adverse reactions (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

LD-MSS is effective in anti-inflammation and in improving blood gas function, and has a good safety profile.