[Stage appropriate therapy for COPD]

The treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has improved substantially over recent years, and is increasingly based on evidence from prospective studies. Cessation of smoking is the most important and effective single measure which can be taken. In the early stages, intensive measures for nicotine withdrawal should be taken to prevent the catastrophic effects of disease progression. Pharmacological treatment of COPD in the earlier stages (0-II) should be symptom oriented. Asymptomatic patients at these stages do not require permanent pharmacotherapy. From Stage II, COPD patients benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Patients with stages III and IV should usually be put on long-term corticosteroid inhalation, preferably in combination with long-acting bronchodilators. Systemic corticosteroids, even at low doses, are not indicated. They are useful only for the short-term treatment of acute exacerbations. These treatment modalities improve the quality of life and morbidity of COPD patients. They also decrease exacerbations and hospitalization rates, which should help to reduce mortality due to this important disease.