Nebulized Long-Acting Beta2-Agonists: More Than Just Bridging Gaps in the Management of Symptomatic COPD

Editorial

Long-acting bronchodilator maintenance therapy has been the cornerstone of treatment for symptomatic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for nearly 2 decades. New products and combinations of medications are continually offered, all designed to moderate symptoms, but also to advance the Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease ¹ initiatives of exacerbation reduction and attempted disease moderation. Specific bronchodilator therapy prescriptions are directed by clinicians seeking the most suitable fit for their patients. In particular, nebulized long-acting beta2- agonists (LABAs) remains a medication category that, despite well described properties, continues to be underused and in need of clarification of its place in the hierarchy of medications.²

The Expert Panel discussion (Wise et al) in this issue is the most thorough review of the use of nebulized LABAs published to date.³ Unmet needs of patients with COPD are myriad, but the authors bring focus and clarity to specific areas that might enjoy the advantage of nebulized LABA therapy. Exacerbations, a source of damaging morbidity, soaring costs, and reductions in quality of life and lung function, remain insufficiently treated by preventative pharmacology. In particular, continuity of care after an acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is a key factor in limiting early relapse. Nebulized LABAs have potential to plug that gap in therapy. The authors highlight other COPD conundrums that make it impossible to eliminate all exacerbations—unstable comorbidities, unsupported social situations, as well as patient adherence, making us ponder if exacerbations can ever be entirely eliminated. But perhaps the most important highlight of this complex patient population is the under recognition and under treatment of cognitive dysfunction calling into question the use of more common treatments of pressurized metered dose inhalers, soft mist inhalers and dry powder inhalers.⁴

The Expert Panel makes a number of important recommendations. Nebulized LABA as the bridge of treatment for AECOPD seems an underutilized yet sensible approach to their use.⁵ As the authors point out, there remains a gap in the literature with limited data supporting nebulized LABAs in many settings. This is one such area where that gap is identified but where experience and logic, when all else fails, are the best guidance. It’s also clearly seen in the important consideration of nebulized LABA in patients with noticeable cognitive impairments. The idea that cognitive impairment in COPD is seen with increased frequency in the general population has received, until now, less attention than deserved. But voids in measuring such cognitive impairments are substantial. What is the best test to screen our patients? How should busy clinicians efficiently screen their patients? These are gaps in potential care that must be bridged. Are nebulized LABAs truly better in this patient population? More evidence is needed in this area and should be the focus of future clinical research.

Identifying who should best benefit from nebulized LABA therapy remains debatable. Limited data and an ever broadening pharmacologic armamentarium add complexity to medical decision making. What is certain is that a thoughtful approach to each patient with individualized prescription planning is essential to best management. Facing an era where novel and expensive biologic agents are unfolding, with parenteral delivery and their mechanisms including their own set of potential adverse effects, can only add to systemic problems of COPD treatment. The authors have pushed us forward in the thinking of this as yet uncontained disease.

Abbreviations

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD; long-acting beta2-agonists, LABAs; acute exacerbation of COPD, AECOPD