The efficacy of adding budesonide/formoterol to ipratropium plustheophylline in managing severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: anopen-label randomized study in China

摘要

Background:Patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in China are commonly prescribed ipratropium plus theophylline (I+T) therapy. Studies have shown that an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long-acting β²-agonist (LABA) combination is also efficacious in reducing symptoms and exacerbations. This study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of adding budesonide/formoterol (BUD/FORM) to I+T in Chinese patients with severe COPD.