Volume 19 Issue 2 June 2010Review
The role of combination inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting
β-agonist therapy in COPD management
Pages 93-103
*Douglas Mapela, Judith S Hurleyb, Anand A Dalalc, Christopher M Blanchetted
a
Lovelace Clinic Foundation, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
b
Hurley Health and Medical Communications, Placitas, New Mexico, USA
c
GlaxoSmithKline, U.S. Health Outcomes, North Carolina, USA
d
Lovelace Respiratory, Research Institute, Kannapolis, North Carolina, USA
Received 29 September 2009 • Accepted 18 February 2010 • Online 25 March 2010
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is now the fourth leading cause of death, affects an estimated 24 million Americans, and
accounts for over ten million physician and emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalisations each year. The diagnosis and
management of COPD falls largely to primary care practitioners. Previously, COPD management options were limited, but newer
treatments have been shown to slow lung deterioration, reduce symptoms and preserve quality of life. Combination therapy with an
inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting β2-agonist (ICS/LABA) is an effective therapy for COPD that, compared to other therapies, has
been shown to reduce exacerbations, hospitalisations, ED visits and health care costs. This review focuses on the role of combination
ICS/LABA therapy in managing COPD, including indications, potential benefits and considerations that affect therapy decisions.
Keywords
COPD, treatment, ICS, LABA, combination therapy, outcomes
* Corresponding author. Douglas Mapel Tel: 505-938-9900 Fax: 505-938-9940 Email: dmapel@comcast.net | |
|
