Case study: Management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common but serious disease that can significantly affect patients' quality of life. Proper management of this disease can effectively alleviate symptoms and slow its progression. In this article, we will discuss a case study of COPD management.

   Case description

  The patient, a 68-year-old man, presented for consultation due to chronic cough, shortness of breath and frequent respiratory infections. He was a smoker with more than 40 years of experience. The patient frequently experienced periods of symptom exacerbation that required multiple hospital visits.

   Diagnosis

  Based on his clinical symptoms, medical history and spirometry results, the patient was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Spirometry was characterized by a reduced FEV1/FVC (forced expiratory volume in one second to vital capacity) ratio, which is typical of COPD.

   Treatment

  Treatment began with educating the patient about his disease and the importance of smoking cessation. In addition, the patient received long-acting bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of exacerbations.

  After several months of treatment, despite the initial improvement, the patient continued to experience periods of exacerbation of symptoms. Therefore, it was decided to add roflumilast, a drug that reduces the risk of severe exacerbations in patients with COPD, to the treatment.

   Effects of treatment

  After several months of treatment with roflumilast, the patient reported a reduction in the frequency and severity of exacerbations, which helped improve his quality of life. He also maintained tobacco abstinence, a key element in the management of COPD.

  In conclusion, this case demonstrates the importance of a personalized approach to COPD management. Management of this disease includes not only drug treatment, but also patient education, smoking cessation support and symptom monitoring. Proper management of COPD can significantly improve patients' quality of life and reduce the risk of serious exacerbations.