Improving the quality of life in COPD patients treated with tiotropium

Abstract:

Quality of life associated with health status is an important factor in assessing the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Results of the SOSPES trial showed very low quality of life at the beginning of the trial, and a surprisingly large improvement after six months of treatment with tiotropium assessed by a SGRQ questionnaire in COPD patients treated with tiotropium in everyday clinical practice in Croatia and five other countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Low quality of life in COPD patients in daily clinical practice is the result of a delayed treatment and unused treatment options in advanced stages of the disease. According to the new Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines, a combined assessment of the disease enables early detection and treatment of patients at risk of rapid disease progression. Tiotropium is a safe and effective drug which, according to the GOLD guidelines, is the drug of choice for most COPD patients. 

Key words:
COPD; SGRQ scores; quality of life associated with health status (HRQoL)