Rational Use of Inhaled Medications for the Patient with COPD and Multiple Comorbid Conditions: Guidance for Primary Care

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is typically accompanied by multiple comorbid conditions. However, guidelines for the management of patients with COPD focus on the disease itself, providing little practical guidance on the routine management of comorbidities. Our objective is to review the impact of comorbidities on treatment choices for patients with COPD, especially with regard to the risks and benefits of inhaled medications including long-acting betaagonists (LABA) and long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) and with a special focus on inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).