[Principles of treating patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous condition characterized by inflammation of the airways and lung parenchyma, manifested by persistent respiratory symptoms such as dyspnoe and cough. As a global pandemic, it affects approximately 10.3% of the population over the age of 40 and remains among the leading causes of death with an increasing mortality trend. In Hungary, the estimated actual prevalence is approximately three times higher than the number of officially registered cases. COPD imposes a significant economic burden, primarily driven by the hospital care required for acute exacerbations. The systemic consequences of chronic inflammation contribute to the development of frequent comorbidities, such as atherosclerosis and heart failure. The primary objectives in managing stable COPD are symptom reduction, improvement of quality of life, and the prevention of disease progression. The cornerstones of therapy include smoking cessation, maintenance inhalation pharmacotherapy, and various non-pharmacological interventions. The latter encompasses appropriately indicated pulmonary rehabilitation, long-term oxygen therapy, and non-invasive ventilation, as well as lung volume reduction interventions and lung transplantation in selected cases. The selection of optimal, individualized therapy combined with high patient adherence significantly improves survival rates. Orv Hetil. 2026; 167(41): 1639-1645.