Small Airway Disease in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
- Author:
Dave SINGH
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: Particle Size; Therapeutics; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
- MeSH: Humans; Nebulizers and Vaporizers; Particle Size; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive*
- From:Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2017;80(4):317-324
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Small airway disease (SAD) has been recognized for many years as a central feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Histopathology studies have shown that the narrowing and destruction of small airways in COPD combined with inflammatory cell infiltration in the submucosa increases the severity of the disease. SAD is present in the early stages of COPD and becomes more widespread over time as the disease progresses to more severe COPD. The development of inhalers containing extra-fine particles allows the small airways to be pharmacologically targeted. Recent clinical trials have shown the efficacy of extra-fine triple therapy that targets the small airways in patients with COPD. This article reviews the importance and treatment of SAD in COPD.
