Drug Combo Cuts COPD Lung Function Loss
Drug Combo Cuts COPD Lung Function Loss
Trial called first to prove effective therapy across sex, age, ethnicity, body mass
FRIDAY, Aug. 15 (HealthDay News) -- A new drug therapy may help cut down on the lung function loss experienced by patients with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a new study says. According to the second August issue of American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, a combination of salmeterol, a β-agonist, and fluticasone propiniate, an inhaled cortical steroid, proved a successful therapy in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 42 countries. "Pharmacotherapy with salmeterol plus fluticasone propionate, or the components, reduces the rate of decline on [lung function] in patients with moderate to severe COPD, thus slowing disease progression," study author Dr. Bartolome R. Celli, a professor at Tufts University School of Medicine, said in a news release issued by the journal's publisher. "To date, smoking cessation is the only intervention that has conclusively been shown to alter the rate of decline in [lung function]." Celli said this is the first demonstration of an effective drug therapy in COPD. The rate of lung function decline was similar despite variables such as sex, age, ethnicity and body-mass index. "Although treatment did not abolish the accelerated decline in lung function [that occurs with COPD], it did ameliorate it substantially," Celli wrote. More information The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about COPD.
Last Updated: Aug. 15, 2008 Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved. |
-->To date, smoking cessation is the only intervention that has conclusively been shown to alter the rate of decline in [lung function<--
I agree that smoking is bad for your lungs and your whole body.
I disagree that smoking and these drugs are the only way to improve your lung capacity.
As someone that had chronic bronchitis and told that my only course of action was to take a steroid for the rest of my life - my problems went away - completely - on a low carb diet, supplements, and moderate exercise.
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