Prostate cancer consultations are common in primary care and there is no one approach to testing and treatment that fits all patients. Urologist Simon van Rij discusses the key considerations and options for personalised care, appropriate investigation and treatment
Deciding when triple therapy will be beneficial for COPD
Deciding when triple therapy will be beneficial for COPD
![Hot air ballons](/sites/default/files/styles/cropped_image_16_7_/public/2024-09/aaron-burden-GFpxQ2ZyNc0-unsplash.jpg?itok=GQU5IKch)
Pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant delves into the details of prescribing inhaled corticosteroids for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
1. Hancox RJ, Jones S, Baggott C, et al. New Zealand COPD Guidelines: Quick Reference Guide. N Z Med J 2021;134(1530):76–110. https://www.asthmafoundation.org.nz/health-professionals/management-guidelines/nz-copd-guidelines
2. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. 2024. https://goldcopd.org/2024-gold-report/
3. Hoogendoorn M, Hoogenveen RT, Rutten-van Mölken MP, et al. Case fatality of COPD exacerbations: a meta-analysis and statistical modelling approach. Eur Respir J 2011;37(3):508–15.
4. Ho TW, Tsai YJ, Ruan SY, et al. In-hospital and one-year mortality and their predictors in patients hospitalized for first-ever chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations: a nationwide population-based study. PLoS One 2014;9(12):e114866.
5. Soler-Cataluña JJ, Martínez-García MA, Román Sánchez P, et al. Severe acute exacerbations and mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thorax 2005;60(11):925–31.
6. Wedzicha JA, Calverley PM, Seemungal TA, et al. The prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations by salmeterol/fluticasone propionate or tiotropium bromide. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2008;177(1):19–26.
7. Calverley PM, Anderson JA, Celli B, et al. Salmeterol and fluticasone propionate and survival in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. N Engl J Med 2007;356(8):775–89.
8. Cates C. Inhaled corticosteroids in COPD: quantifying risks and benefits. Thorax 2013;68(6):499–500.
9. Mathioudakis AG, Bate S, Sivapalan P, et al Rethinking blood eosinophils for assessing ICS response in COPD: A post hoc analysis from FLAME. Chest 2024; 9 July online.