Single-Inhaler Triple Therapy Is Just The Start

Résumé

The emergence of biologic therapies for reducing exacerbations of COPD heralds a new era in pharmacologic management and optimal patient care. Through pathophysiologic pathway and trajectory alterations, disease modification, and stability, biologic therapies in the setting of COPD raise the possibility of disease control. While asthma and COPD remain clinically distinct diseases, evolving insights into their underlying pathophysiology reveals areas of overlap and complexity.

In contemporary practice, key components of COPD management, including screening and case finding, diagnosis, clinical risk stratification, initial pharmacologic therapy, exacerbation management, action plan implementation, vaccination, pulmonary rehabilitation, and chronic bronchitis management, largely fall within the domain of primary care. Although specialist respiratory consultation continues to support these fundamental aspects of COPD management, the advent of biologic therapies creates new possibilities for respiratory specialists to focus on therapies beyond single-inhaler triple therapy.