Combination inhalers can cut lung function decline.(Brief article)

Treating COPD with a combination inhaler can significantly reduce lung function decline, claim US researchers.

Previously, only smoking cessation has been shown to slow progression of the disease.

Findings from the 'Towards a revolution in COPD health' (TORCH) study suggest that treatment with a salmeterol/fluticasone propionate inhaler slows the rate of lung function decline compared with placebo.

TORCH has shown that combination treatment reduces the number of COPD flare-ups but has no effect on mortality rate.

The study included 6,112 patients, aged an average of 65, who had moderate to severe COPD. Participants were randomly assigned to …