THE BENEFIT OF SINGLE INHALER TRIPLE THERAPY IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by persistent obstruction of lung airflow, determinating respiratory symptoms, which increase while disease is progressing and exacerbations are reccuring. According to Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), triple therapy with an inhaled glucocorticoid (iGK), a long-acting β₂-agonist (LABA) and a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), should be prescribed for patients who have clinically significant symptoms despite treatment with iGK/LABA or LAMA/LABA and who are at increased risk formoderate or severe exacerbations. Efficacy of triple therapy is demonstrated by FULFIL (Once-Daily Triple Therapy for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and IMPACT (InforMing the PAthway of COPD Treatment) clinical trials findings. In fluticasone furoate / umeclidinium / vilanterol group a statistically significant reduction in the moderate and severe COPD exacerbations, as well as improvement of lung function and health-related quality of life were observed, comparing with groups of dual therapy. Meanwhile any differences in safety profile were detected. Such triple therapy in single inhaler is promising pathway for COPD treatment in selected patients.