Abstract:

Objective

To observe the effects of regular and irregular medication on the frequency of acute exacerbations，total treatment costs，dyspnea index （mMRC），COPD assessment test scores （CAT），and forced expiratory volume in the first second （ FEV₁） over a 12-month period for patients with COPD in remission.

Methods

A total of 117 patients diagnosed with COPD in remission at our hospital from September 2019 to September 2023 were select. Patients were divided into a control group of 52 who used medications irregularly and an observation group of 65 who used medications regularly. The observation group received longterm regular inhaled corticosteroids （ICS） combined with long-acting β₂ receptor agonists （LABA），such as salmeterol fluticasone powder inhaler （Sulair），budesonide formoterol powder inhaler （Xinafo），or long-acting anticholinergic drugs （long-acting muscarine anticholinergic，LAMA），such as tiotropium bromide，or triple formulations，such as fluticasone propionate and budesonide. Observe the number of acute exacerbations，total economic costs，mMRC and CAT scores，and FEV₁ in both groups at 12 months post-treatment.

Results

During the medication period，the observation group experienced 1 exacerbation （mainly coughing and sputum production，relieved after outpatient treatment） in 32 cases，2 in 2 cases，and 1 in 1 case； the control group experienced 2 exacerbations （mainly coughing and sputum production，relieved after outpatient treatment； some with significant dyspnea and shortness of breath，relieved after hospitalization） in 27 cases，3 in 23 cases，and 4 in 2 cases. After 12 months of treatment，the FEV₁ value （1.11±0.31） L，mMRC score （1.85±0.89） points，and CAT score （14.23±5.12） points in the observation group were lower than those in the control group （0.74±0.15） L，（2.81±0.73） points，and （25.86±2.84） points （P＜0.05）； the total medical expenses in the observation group （7 096.25±2 731.87） yuan were lower than those in the control group （9 780.00± 3 093.74）yuan （P＜0.05）.

Conclusion

For COPD patients in remission who follow medical advice and receive longterm regular inhalation therapy，improve lung function，enhance quality of life，reduce hospitalization frequency，and lower economic costs.

Key words: Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, Remission period, Regular drug therapy