Primary prevention consists mainly of refraining from smoking

The most prominent and effective preventive measure concerning COPD is refraining from smoking and avoiding environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). An improved indoor and outdoor air quality, including reduction of the use of biomass fuel for cooking and heating, would further contribute to the reduction of the COPD prevalence in the world.

Secondary prevention: COPD is still under-diagnosed and under-treated

COPD appears to be under-diagnosed and under-treated in most countries. Better evaluation and diagnostic practices, as well as disease management, implementation of guidelines and awareness-raising among general public and risk groups may improve the outcomes for COPD.

The World Health Organization recommendations for the COPD management include four main components:

• assess and monitor disease;
• reduce risk factors;
• manage stable COPD;
• manage exacerbations.

Treatment options

Currently, there are three treatment options mainly used in the EU: anticholinergic bronchodilators, ß2-agonists, and the inhalative corticosteroids. Results from three large trials (ISOLDE, EUROSCOP and CCHS) have shown that inhaled corticosteroids do not improve the COPD symptoms as expected and the benefits are far less significant than in asthma patients (Pauwels, 2000).

Some researchers describe preliminary positive effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) as a nutritional supplement on chronic inflammation in airways, the underlying cause of COPD (Matsuyama et al., 2005).