Optimising quality of life using inhaled therapy

Abstract

205 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disorder which is characterised by airway inflammation which is not fully reversible and which progresses over time (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), 2007). The main cause of COPD is cigarette smoking. COPD costs the NHS about £800 million a year (Chief Medical Officer, 2004) and according to the British Lung Foundation (BLF) (2007), also incurs some of the highest costs in terms of inpatient stays. COPD is set to become the world’s third greatest cause of death by the year 2030 (World Health Organization, 2010); it is already the fifth greatest cause of death in the UK (BLF, 2007). A consultation on a national strategy for COPD was published by the Department of Health (DH) in 2010 and primary care organisations will be expected to comply with the recommendations therein. The Primary Care Respiratory Society provides guidance on how to implement the core elements of the strategy (www.pcrs-uk.org/resources/copd_resources.php). The consultation document discusses the impact of COPD on patients and their families and sets out the importance of correct diagnosis, treatment and management, putting a strong emphasis on assessing patients’ quality of life. The focus on quality of life is important because the treatment of COPD should centre on minimising symptoms, exacerbations and hospitalisations. Although this approach shares many similarities with the goals of good asthma management, the key difference comes in recognising that normal lung function is not achievable in COPD, whereas it should always be the aim in asthma.