Table 3.

GOLD group classification and treatment of COPD. Abbreviations: SABA, short-acting beta-agonists; SAMA, short-acting antimuscarinic; LABA, long-acting beta-agonist; LAMA, long-acting antimuscarinic; ICS, inhaled corticosteroids.

		A	B		E
Pharmacological therapy	Initial therapy	SABA or SAMA or LABA or LAMA	LABA or LAMA or LABA + LAMA		LAMA or LABA + LAMA or LABA + LAMA + ICS
	Follow-up therapy	Persistent dyspnea: (1) LAMA or LABA monotherapy → LAMA + LABA (2) LABA + LAMA → LAMA + LABA + ICS (3) Investigation and treatment of comorbid conditions
		Exacerbations: (1) LABA or LAMA → LABA + LAMA or LABA + LAMA + ICS (2) LABA + LAMA → LABA + LAMA + ICS or roflumilast or azithromycin (3) LABA + LAMA + ICS → roflumilast or macrolide or LABA + LAMA
Non-pharmacological therapy	Essential	Smoking cessation		Smoking cessation Pulmonary rehabilitation
	Recommended	Physical activity
	Optional	Flu vaccination              Pneumococcal vaccination              Pertussis vaccination              COVID-19 vaccination