Abstract
Symptomatic patients with COPD reporting about repeated exacerbations in their history
(group D according to GOLD recommendations) are treated with dual bronchodilation
(LAMA/LABA) with potential benefits from additional ICS. Eosinophils in peripheral
blood are considered as potential biomarkers to predict exacerbations. > 300 cells/µL
or 4 % of eosinophils in peripheral blood are recommended to treat the patients with
additional ICS. In clinical practice, about 10 – 15 % of patients with COPD are classified
as group D according to GOLD. < 20 % have increased eosinophils in peripheral blood.
Thus, ICS therapy should be restricted to a minority of patients with COPD
Schwerpunkt der medikamentösen Therapie der symptomatischen COPD sind langwirksame
Anticholinergika (LAMA) und langwirksame β2-Symphatikomimetika (LABA). Zusätzlich können bei symptomatischen Patienten mit gehäuften
Exazerbationen inhalative Kortikosteroide hilfreich sein. Welche Patienten darauf
ansprechen, lässt sich möglicherweise mithilfe einer erhöhten Eosinophilen-Zahl im
peripheren Blut vorhersagen.
Schlüsselwörter
COPD - inhalative Kortikosteroide (ICS) - eosinophile Granulozyten
Key words
COPD - inhaled corticosteroids - eosinophils