HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Rabe, K. F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Rabe, K. F.

Improving Dyspnea in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Optimal Treatment Strategies

Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Pulmonology, Leiden, The Netherlands

Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to Prof. Dr. K.F. Rabe, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Pulmonology, C3-P16, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands. E-mail: k.f.rabe{at}lumc.nl

ABSTRACT

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease with a global impact in terms of morbidity and mortality. Patients usually consult their doctor because of symptoms, and among those, dyspnea at rest or under exercise is one of the most common. The sensation of dyspnea is experienced differently among individuals with COPD and may be based on diverse factors, such as muscle fatigue, patient perception, or trapped volumes. Treatment algorithms for COPD emphasize a stepwise approach to therapy depending on the severity of the disease, which, for reasons of convenience, is primarily based on spirometric impairment. Drugs that alter bronchial smooth muscle tone and increase inspiratory capacity have clinical efficacy for the dyspneic patient, most likely based on their effect on lung function, whereas the effects of antiinflammatory therapy with inhaled corticosteroids is more difficult to explain. The following short review aims to give an overview of the available clinical information of clinical trials performed over the last couple of years.

Key Words: chronic respiratory disease, outcomes • chronic respiratory disease, pharmacotherapy

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. I.M. Versteegh, J. Braun, P. G. Voigt, D. B. Bosman, J. Stolk, K. F. Rabe, and R. A.E. Dion Diaphragm plication in adult patients with diaphragm paralysis leads to long-term improvement of pulmonary function and level of dyspnea Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., September 1, 2007; 32(3): 449 - 456. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]