Abstract
Introduction - Objective: The new Gold Assessment of COPD now includes more than spirometry results which is also assessing the risks and symptoms about COPD. We aimed to see the changes in treatment protocols of pulmonologists in COPD patients after Combined Assessment of COPD.
Method: COPD patients followed by a few clinics were assessed observationally. They were categorized by Spirometry Classification and Combined Assessment of COPD. The treatment protocols were evaluated if they were suitable for both classifications.
Results: 307 patients were included in the study. It was reported that treatment protocols were suitable for 40.4% both, 30.9 % combined and 20.8% spirometric classification. 51.8% of patients were using an unsuitable therapy for spirometric and 38.4% for combined assessment. 98% of unsuitable treatment was overtreatment. 58% of patients were using LABA + LAMA + ICS. Improper ICS usage, the most common type of improper drug usage, was found to be 97.1% in combined, 93.1% in spirometric classification.
Conclusions: There is a high rate of impropriety to treatment protocols of classifications of COPD. It was remarkable that most of the unsuitable usage was about ICS therapy. It was thinked that it could be about the high usage of combined devices in our country.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015