Table 2.

The clinical symptoms scoring system of AECOPD

Score	Dyspnea	Cough	Sputum production	Use of accessory respiratory muscles
0	–	No cough	No sputum	No neck muscle tension and periodic contraction
1	Shortness of breath when flat on the ground or walking up one floor level	Intermittent cough, but no symptoms at night	Sputum volume ≤ 30 mL the whole day and night	Neck muscle tension, but no obvious muscle activity
2	Shortness of breath when walking with peers	Sometimes cough, which probably affects sleep	Sputum volume ≥ 30 mL and ≤ 50 mL	Visible slight contraction of the neck muscles
3	Need to stop so as to breathe when walking at their own speed	Frequent cough affecting sleep	Sputum volume ≥ 50 mL and ≤ 100 mL	Moderate contraction of the neck muscles, not with clavicular fossa and intercostal retraction
4	Shortness of breath when dressing or undressing	–	Sputum volume ≥ 100 mL	Strong contraction of the neck muscles, with abdominal contradictory movement

The evaluation criteria for the improvement in clinical symptoms is according to the total scores of the 4 items

AECOPD acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease