International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2013
Indacaterol therapy in moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: findings from a single-center primary care cohort.
Once-daily long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs) are an important treatment option, either alone or in combination with other inhaled long-acting bronchodilators in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ Indacaterol was found to be an effective LABA as an escalation or switch medication in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. Indacaterol was effective both as monotherapy and in combination with a long-acting muscarinic antagonist. Switching to indacaterol from a LABA/inhaled corticosteroid fixed-combination inhaler significantly reduced the number of acute exacerbations and also improved self-reported QoL.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2013
Diagnosis of COPD and clinical course in patients with unrecognized airflow limitation.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently under-recognized and underdiagnosed. To determine the natural history of recognized and unrecognized COPD, we studied the rate of diagnosis, health care utilization, and mortality in patients with airflow limitation (AFL). Three hundred forty-seven outpatients at the Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center performed spirometry and completed a respiratory questionnaire. ⋯ Patients with AFL and a diagnosis of COPD have more severe disease, higher health care utilization, and mortality than undiagnosed patients. The annual rate of COPD diagnosis is 7% among individuals with unrecognized AFL. Worse AFL, increased respiratory symptoms, and ED visits are associated with a subsequent COPD diagnosis in individuals with unrecognized AFL.