Reduction of disease-related mortality

The ability of medications to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life make it reasonable to ask if patients lives can be extended.

Current evidence suggests that smoking cessation, long-term oxygen therapy in hypoxemic patients, noninvasive mechanical ventilation in some patients with acute-on-chronic respiratory failure, and LVRS improve survival. The TORCH (TOwards a Revolution in COPD Health) study also showed a reduction in the relative risk of dying over three years (although not statistically significant).¹

Reference

1. Calverley PMA, Anderson JA, Celli B, et al. Salmeterol and fluticasone propionate and survival in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. N Engl J Med 2007;356:775–789.