Abstract
Although smoking cessation is still the most important intervention in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a variety of pharmacologic therapies are available to help manage symptoms. Short-acting β2-agonists and/or ipratropium should be taken as needed, and the use of additional therapies is based on the severity of disease. Patients with moderate or severe COPD should regularly take 1 or more long-acting bronchodilators. The long-acting β2-agonists salmeterol and formoterol have been demonstrated to improve health-related quality of life. Newer therapies include the long-acting anticholinergic tiotropium and a salmeterol-fluticasone combination. These agents improve forced expiratory volume in 1 second and may reduce the rate of acute exacerbations. For patients with moderate to very severe COPD, participation in a pulmonary rehabilitation program can improve health status, quality of life, and exercise tolerance.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 284-289 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Respiratory Diseases |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 7 |
State | Published - Jul 2005 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine