People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) appear to benefit most from using a daily inhaler that aligns with existing treatment recommendations for frequent symptoms and flare-ups.
After reviewing health insurance data from more than 60,000 adults with COPD, researchers found those who used a combination of long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) and long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs) compared to inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) and LABAs were 8% less likely to seek medical care for a COPD exacerbation. They were also 20% less likely to be hospitalized for pneumonia. Both incidents were based on the first time a patient sought care.
The authors conclude the study, which published in JAMA Internal Medicine, provides additional evidence to inform clinical care guidelines for COPD. The research was partially supported by NHLBI.