Medicus, Vol. 30 No. 2 Astma i KOPB, 2021.
Review article
Have we Made Progress in Treating COPD?
Andrea Vukić Dugac
Iva Karla Crnogorac
Ana Dobrić
Toni Dobrić Lester
Vesna Trkeš
Gordana Pavliša
Abstract
The knowledge about COPD has grown and changed since 1965 when Dr. W. Briscoe first used the term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). At the same time, knowledge about the treatment has grown as well. Bronchodilators are still the first-line therapy for COPD, while combination therapies, especially triple combination therapy, are reserved for more symptomatic patients and patients with frequent exacerbations. The therapeutic approach has undergone far greater changes. In the past, treatment recommendation was based primarily on the level of airflow limitation. The assessment system was refined, and today we have the A, B, C, and D groups that define the pharmacological treatment based on symptoms and exacerbation history only. Numerous new drugs are available for patients in a variety of inhaler devices, allowing us to provide COPD patients with the best therapeutic choice in the inhaler that is best for them. In addition to pharmacological advances in COPD treatment, it is necessary to emphasize the development of non-pharmacological methods, primarily pulmonary rehabilitation. However, the direction of treatment is aimed primarily at caring for patients with significant symptoms. We lack drugs that would change the course of COPD and stop further progression of the disease. In addition, there are no defined options for early COPD. Numerous studies of various drugs are expected to be effective, but none of the options examined led to significant progress so far. As much as we think we know everything about COPD, we still do not know enough to cure it.
Keywords
COPD; therapy; inhalers; new drugs
Hrčak ID:
264154
URI
Publication date:
18.10.2021.
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