A monthly injection of an asthma drug can cut serious symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by a third, a recent study has claimed.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have found that a monthly injection of mepolizumab can stop people with the debilitating lung disease ending up in hospital.
Currently the third-biggest killer disease in the UK, COPD is responsible for 30,000 deaths each year.
Approximately 1.2 million Brits are living with COPD, and experts now believe this number will increase by 40% over the next six years.
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COPD is a common lung disease causing restricted airflow and breathing problems. The conditional typically develops due to long-term damage to the lungs caused by inhaling harmful substances, such as cigarette smoke, dust and industrial chemicals.
A continuous cough, shortness of breath and excessive mucus production are common symptoms of COPD.
People living with COPD are given inhalers to manage the condition. However, if they are still experiencing breathing difficulties they are moved on to steroid-based tablets.
However, a new study looking at the impact of mepolizumab has found that a monthly injection of the drug reduced chest infections and breathlessness by nearly a quarter, experts have revealed.
A monthly injection of mepolizumab also reduced hospital admissions among people with COPD by 35%, the results have reported.
With these findings in mind, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is reviewing mepolizumab for the treatment of COPD, with researchers predicting the injection could be approved next year.
Senior author Dr Frank Sciurba said: “Every physician will know the feeling of seeing a patient hospitalised due to an exacerbation that could have possibly been prevented. The trial uncovers new possibilities in the treatment landscape for COPD patients.”
To read the study, click here.
