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.