Patients, hospitalized with AECOPD, were randomized into three groups. Group I received only bronchodilator treatment (BDT), Group II received SC (40 mg prednisolon) plus BDT, and Group III received nebulized budesonide (NB)(1500 mcg qid) plus BDT. Improvement rates in multiple parameters during 10-day hospitalization, and acute exacerbation and re-hospitalization rates within one-month after discharge were compared between the groups.