Bronchodilators are central to the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Clinical studies combining different classes of bronchodilators, in particular a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) and a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA), have demonstrated greater improvements in lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second, FEV1) in patients with COPD than monotherapy. FEV1 has served as an important diagnostic measurement of COPD, and the majority of clinical studies of currently available pharmacotherapies grade effectiveness of treatment regimens based on improvements in FEV1. However, FEV1 alone may not adequately reflect the overall health status of the patient. Published evidence suggests that LABA/LAMA combination therapies demonstrate greater improvements in patient-centred outcomes such as dyspnoea, symptoms, rescue medication use, and quality of life than individual drugs used alone. Evaluating patient-centred outcomes associated with COPD is likely to play an important role in future research as a measure of overall treatment effectiveness. Raising awareness of the importance of outcomes beyond lung function alone, particularly in primary care where most patients initially present themselves for medical evaluation, should form a fundamental part of a more holistic approach to COPD management.

van der Molen, T., Cazzola, M. (2012). Beyond lung function in COPD management: effectiveness of LABA/LAMA combination therapy on patient-centred outcomes. PRIMARY CARE RESPIRATORY JOURNAL [10.4104/pcrj.2011.00102].

Beyond lung function in COPD management: effectiveness of LABA/LAMA combination therapy on patient-centred outcomes.

CAZZOLA, MARIO
2012-03-01

Abstract

Bronchodilators are central to the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Clinical studies combining different classes of bronchodilators, in particular a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) and a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA), have demonstrated greater improvements in lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second, FEV1) in patients with COPD than monotherapy. FEV1 has served as an important diagnostic measurement of COPD, and the majority of clinical studies of currently available pharmacotherapies grade effectiveness of treatment regimens based on improvements in FEV1. However, FEV1 alone may not adequately reflect the overall health status of the patient. Published evidence suggests that LABA/LAMA combination therapies demonstrate greater improvements in patient-centred outcomes such as dyspnoea, symptoms, rescue medication use, and quality of life than individual drugs used alone. Evaluating patient-centred outcomes associated with COPD is likely to play an important role in future research as a measure of overall treatment effectiveness. Raising awareness of the importance of outcomes beyond lung function alone, particularly in primary care where most patients initially present themselves for medical evaluation, should form a fundamental part of a more holistic approach to COPD management.
mar-2012
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore MED/10 - MALATTIE DELL'APPARATO RESPIRATORIO
English
van der Molen, T., Cazzola, M. (2012). Beyond lung function in COPD management: effectiveness of LABA/LAMA combination therapy on patient-centred outcomes. PRIMARY CARE RESPIRATORY JOURNAL [10.4104/pcrj.2011.00102].
van der Molen, T; Cazzola, M
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/78155
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