title: [Evidence of pharmacotherapy in COPD--key findings from recently-conducted randomized clinical studies].
abstract: The primary aim of pharmachotherapy in COPD is improvement of exertional dyspnea and quality of life through its bronchodilator effects. However, there is emerging evidence that pharmacotherapy may reduce exacerbations, alleviate annual decline of pulmonary function, and even favorably affect mortality, thus changing natural history of COPD. The large-scaled randomized clinical trials, such as TORCH, UPLIFT, have revealed that combination of long acting beta2 agonist (LABA) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), LABA/ICS, and/or tiotropium alone may have such effects. In addition, carbocisteine, which is a mucolytic and anti-oxidant agent, has been shown to reduce exacerbations in COPD. Future directions on pharmacotherapy are personalized medicine based on phenotyping of the disease and development of new agents which may cure airway inflammation in COPD.
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Kaoruko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Masaharu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nishimura
mesh_terms: D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D012602:Scopolamine Derivatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000069447:Tiotropium Bromide
chemical_list: D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000730:Androstadienes; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D012602:Scopolamine Derivatives; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D000068298:Fluticasone; D000420:Albuterol; D000069447:Tiotropium Bromide