COPD: the patient perspective

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent disease characterized by nonreversible airway obstruction. Well-characterized symptoms such as exertional dyspnea and fatigue have a negative impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL) and restrict physical activity in daily life. The impact of COPD symptoms on QoL is often underestimated; for example, 36% of patients who describe their symptoms as being mild-to-moderate also admit to being too breathless to leave the house. Additionally, early morning and nighttime symptoms are a particular problem. Methods are available to allow clinicians to accurately assess COPD symptoms, including patient questionnaires. Integrated approaches to COPD management, particularly pulmonary rehabilitation, are effective strategies for addressing symptoms, improving exercise capacity and, potentially, also increasing physical activity. Inhaled bronchodilators continue to be the mainstay of drug therapy in COPD, where options can be tailored to meet patients’ needs with careful selection of the inhaled medication and the device used for its delivery. Overall, an integrated approach to disease management should be considered for improving QoL and subsequent patient outcomes in COPD.

Keywords:

• COPD
• patients
• physical activity levels
• pulmonary rehabilitation

Acknowledgments

Medical writing support was provided by Kimberley Haines on behalf of Complete Medical Communications, funded by Almirall S.A., Barcelona, Spain.

Disclosure

Professor Jones has previously received speaker fees and has served on advisory boards for Almirall, AstraZeneca, Chiesi, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Roche, and Spiration, and has received research grants from GlaxoSmithKline. All fees were contracted via his institution. Professor Jones is also employed as a Global Medical Expert by GlaxoSmithKline.

Professor Watz has previously received speaker fees from Almirall, AstraZeneca, Berlin Chemie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, and Novartis.

Professor Wouters has previously received honoraria for speaking and consulting from Almirall, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Danone, GlaxoSmithKline, and Pfizer, and has received research grants from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Danone, and GlaxoSmithKline.

Professor Cazzola has previously received honoraria for speaking and consulting and/or financial support for attending meetings from Abbott, Almirall, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Dey, GlaxoSmithKline, Guidotti, Lallemand, Malesci, Menarini, Mundipharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanovel, Sigma Tau, Takeda, and Valeas.