Abstract

A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON THE SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF INHALED LONG ACTING MUSCARINIC ANTAGONISTS IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Christin Ann Thomas*, Jiza Johnson, Shebin Santhosh, Bincy K. Chacko and Dr. Santhosh M. Mathews

ABSTRACT

COPD is the leading respiratory disease affecting the length and quality of pulmonary lives around the globe. Due to its association with smoking and environmental pollution, the burden is much higher in low and middle income countries. An estimation shows that more than 90% COPD related deaths happen in those countries and India is no exception for such a tremendous public health problem. Treatment goals for the management of COPD include relief of symptoms, improved exercise tolerance, prevention of disease progression and reduction of exacerbations and mortality, while minimizing adverse effects. COPD patients are usually treated with inhaled LABA or a combination of LABA and ICS. Beta2 agonists are the first line therapy for COPD. As the disease progress, LAMA are added to exert more bronchodilator effects. A prospective observational study was conducted in 80 patients who were diagnosed with COPD and they were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study population was divided into two groups based on the drug administered: 40 patients were selected who were being administering a combination of inhaled LABA and ICS and 40 patients administering the combination of inhaled LAMA, LABA and ICS. The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and effectiveness of inhaled long acting muscarinic antagonists in COPD patients. From the study it was concluded that the patients treated with a combination of inhaled LAMA, LABA and ICS showed more improvement in pulmonary function, symptoms, health status and reduction of exacerbations than the patients treated with inhaled LABA and ICS based on the SpO2, CAT score, mMRC dyspnea scale, 6MWT and EQ5D descriptive system.

Keywords: COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, LAMA: Long Acting Muscarinic Antagonists, LABA: Long Acting Beta2 Agonists, ICS: Inhaled Corticosteroids.