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Inhaled treatment of COPD: a Delphi consensus statement.
Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2017;12:793-801
Authors: Ninane V, Corhay JL, Germonpré P, Janssens W, Joos GF, Liistro G, Vincken W, Gurdain S, Vanvlasselaer E, Lehouck A
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) global strategy (2015) provides guidance for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with different first-choice options per GOLD category without specification.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the level of medical experts' consensus on their preferred first-choice treatment within different COPD categories.
METHODS: A two-round Delphi Panel consisting of 15 questions was completed by Belgian pulmonologists (n=31) and European (n=10) COPD experts.
RESULTS: Good consensus was reached by both expert groups for long-acting bronchodilators instead of short-acting bronchodilators as first-choice treatment in GOLD A. Single bronchodilation with long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) was preferred over long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) and LABA/LAMA as first-choice treatment in GOLD B and GOLD C. For GOLD D patients based on the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)<50%, a very good consensus was reached for LAMA/LABA as first-choice treatment. For GOLD D patients based on frequent or severe exacerbations, there was a good consensus for LABA/LAMA/inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) as first choice in the Belgian group. According to the European experts, both LABA/LAMA and LABA/LAMA/ICS could be the first choice for these patients.
CONCLUSION: Belgian and European experts recommend long-acting bronchodilators as first-choice treatment. Treatment containing ICS was found only appropriate in patients with FEV1<50% and ≥2 moderate exacerbations or 1 severe exacerbation/year.
PMID: 28293106 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]