title: A rational approach to single, dual and triple therapy in COPD.
abstract: The complexity of COPD treatment has increased over the last 5 years mainly because of the proliferation of drugs and delivery devices. In this paper, we will focus on currently available therapy used for maintaining patient well-being rather than acute relief of symptoms. We propose a series of principles for rational therapy, and following a review of how currently available treatments perform in isolation and when compared with each other, we suggest an approach to aid the rational selection of the most appropriate treatment based on current evidence.
authors.affiliation: Aintree Chest Centre, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calverley
authors.affiliation: Aintree Chest Centre, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vlies
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents
keywords: bronchodilator; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; inhaled corticosteroid; inhaled long-acting antimuscarinic; inhaled long-acting beta-agonist