[Therapy of asthma and COPD in Germany. Findings from a survey with office-based pneumologists].

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of data of inflammatory respiratory diseases from outpatients under routine care in Germany.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Respiratory physicians throughout Germany participated in a survey. Physicians were asked for the ratio of asthma and COPD patients, the frequency, symptoms and relevance of exacerbations of COPD in their practice. Patient questionnaires included questions about medical history, symptoms and therapy. Data were analysed descriptively.

RESULTS: 159 respiratory physicians took part and provided data from 477 patients. 56% of the patients were diagnosed with COPD, 24% with asthma and 12% with a combination of both (8% with missing data). Exacerbations of COPD were frequently seen and resulted in change of therapy in 38% and in hospitalisation in 20% of all cases. As noted by the physicians, most important properties of a drug for COPD were bronchodilatory efficacy and long duration of action (86%), whereas anti-inflammatory properties were only viewed as important in 38% of cases. Most important properties of asthma therapy were anti-inflammatory effect (91%) and high compliance (81%).

CONCLUSION: The results of the survey demonstrate thattreatment of COPD is still challenging. Despitethe frequent exacerbations and their negative impact on the prognosis of COPD, antiinflammatory therapy has not yet attached sufficient importance to the treatment of COPD.