A role of budesonide/formoterol fixed combination in the treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A conclusion of the Expert Council of the Volga Federal district of Russia

Late diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at advanced stage, high risk of exacerbations, low compliance of patients, and adverse effects of treatment have been still unresolved problems in the treatment of COPD despite the development of new drugs. The personalized medicine rneeds distinct indications and predictors of efficacy and safety of treatment. Budesonide/formoterol fixed combination is recommended for patients with asthma – COPD overlap syndrome and bronchitis phenotype, blood eosinophilia > 300 cells/mm3, if other causes were excluded, post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) < 50% pred.; and ≥ 2 exacerbations or ≥ 1 hospitalization related to exacerbation during the previous year. Budesonide/formoterol fixed combination is not recommended for regular use in patients with emphysema phenotype of COPD and rare exacerbations (< 2 exacerbations and without hospitalizations in the previous year).