Management remains challenging because of the high heterogeneity of clinical symptoms and the complex pathophysiological basis of COPD. Mosenifar and colleagues note that bronchodilators remain the cornerstone of any COPD treatment regimen. While they do not alter disease progression or decrease mortality, bronchodilators provide symptomatic relief by dilating airways and thus decreasing airflow resistance. This enables airflow to increase and decreases dynamic hyperinflation.
According to the 2022 Global Strategy for Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of COPD report, lack of response in pulmonary function testing should not preclude the use of bronchodilators as maintenance therapy for COPD. However, in general, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) does not recommend regular use of short-acting bronchodilators.
Learn more about the treatment of COPD.
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Cite this: Zab Mosenifar. Fast Five Quiz: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Maintenance Therapy - Medscape - Jul 22, 2022.
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