An integrated approach to the medical treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
COPD is a treatable condition for which careful and objective evaluation of patients’ lung function, symptoms, exercise capacity, and exacerbation history on an ongoing basis is essential so that treatments may be individualized as much as possible. Although the comparative effectiveness of drug classes has not yet been tested completely in COPD, virtually all inhaled COPD therapies improve lung function, quality of life, and reduce COPD exacerbations, which fulfills the major goals of care. Pulmonary rehabilitation is safe, effective, and a crucial component of COPD therapy. Newer therapies have been developed with the specific purpose of reducing COPD exacerbations and should be prescribed to individuals who have evidence of recurrent exacerbations despite maximal inhaled maintenance medications.
Asthma and COPD Program, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Sharon R
SR
Rosenberg
Ravi
R
Kalhan
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005080:Exercise Test; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D018942:Macrolides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058988:Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013147:Spirometry
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D018942:Macrolides; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D058988:Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors