New opportunities for prevention of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Russian Respiratory Society Expert Opinion

Combination therapy with long-acting β2-agonists (LABA) and long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA) can reduce symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the risk of future exacerbations. To date, the only fixed combination of long-acting bronchodilators, indacaterol/glycopyrronium, has demonstrated a significant reduction in dyspnea and in the risk of moderate and severe exacerbations of COPD in clinical trials when compared with the combination of salmeterol/fluticasone. Addition of inhaled steroids (ICS) to long-acting bronchodilators is recommended for patients with recurrent COPD exacerbations, especially in those with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome or history of elevated blood or sputum eosinophil levels. It is recommended to consider phenotype-specific therapy including roflumilast, N-acetylcysteine, and macrolides, in patients who continue to exacerbate despite being treated with LABA/LAMA or LABA/LAMA/ICS combinations. Withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroids is possible in patients with the low risk of exacerbation and in those with severe adverse events during ICS treatment. ICS should be withdrawn in a single step in patients with no repeated exacerbations during 12 months and with moderate bronchial obstruction (FEV1 ≥ 50% predicted). Stepwise withdrawal of ICS during 3 month with continuous dual bronchodilator therapy is recommended in COPD patients with severe bronchial obstruction (FEV1 ˂ 50% predicted) without frequent exacerbations in the previous year.

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