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. 2015 Jun;24(136):283–298. doi: 10.1183/16000617.00009014

TABLE 1.

Subgroups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that currently have specific treatments

Subgroup Treatment Effect of treatment [Ref.]
Frequent exacerbator LABA, LAMA, LABA/ICS, roflumilast, macrolides Reduced exacerbations, better HRQoL, improved lung function, possible effect on FEV1 decline and mortality [4–11]
Chronic bronchitis Roflumilast, mucolytics Reduced exacerbations, improved HRQoL [12–14]
α1-antitrypsin deficiency α1-antitrypsin augmentation Reduced progression of emphysema [15]
Upper zone dominant emphysema and bullous emphysema LVRS Improved lung function, reduced exacerbations [16, 17]
Type 1 respiratory failure LTOT Improved survival and HRQoL [18, 19]
Type 2 respiratory failure Domiciliary NIV Improved survival, possible effect on hospital admissions and HRQoL [20–24]
Eosinophilic COPD# Steroids Reduced exacerbations, improved lung function [25–27]
Biomass COPD Removal of biomass exposure Reduced FEV1 decline [28]

Frequent exacerbator, chronic bronchitis and α1-antitrypsin deficiency are stable over time; the other subgroups may vary according to disease severity or evidence is not yet clear. LABA: long-acting β-agonists; LAMA long-acting muscarinic antagonists; ICS: inhaled corticosteroids; HRQoL; health-related quality of life; FEV1: forced expiratory volume in 1 s; LVRS: lung volume reduction surgery; LTOT: long-term oxygen therapy; NIV: noninvasive ventilation. #: see “Subgroups shared between COPD and asthma” section; : effect only reported for LABA/ICS.