Advancements in chronic obstructive lung disease treatment and control

The conference, part of a series of scientific gatherings held since March and April, aimed to introduce nearly 2,000 healthcare professionals nationwide to new and advanced solutions to address gaps in COPD treatment. The objective is to enhance treatment effectiveness and alleviate the burden on patients.

Globally, there are an estimated 392 million cases of COPD, with three-quarters of them residing in low and middle-income countries1. COPD ranks as the third leading cause of mortality worldwide, resulting in approximately 3 million deaths annually2.

In Vietnam, the burden of COPD is a significant concern within the respiratory healthcare sector. The prevalence of COPD among individuals aged ≥ 403 is 4.2% with 46% of patients experiencing exacerbations in the previous year4. Furthermore, COPD stands as the fourth leading cause of mortality in the country5.

The above situation is also a concern for leading respiratory experts. Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Viet Nhung, President of Vietnam Lung Association, expressed “Exacerbations are always a concern not only for patients but also for doctors. The treatment strategy for COPD is individualized with the overall goal of reducing symptoms, lessening the risk of exacerbations and lowering mortality. Therefore, having new treatment solutions and promoting access for COPD patients in outpatient management departments will help the local health system better manage patients, thereby reducing hospital admissions for exacerbations and alleviating the burden on the higher-level medical system.”

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Viet Nhung, President of Vietnam Lung Association

During the conference, experts focused on discussing the burdens and unresolved problems with current therapies, especially reducing mortality in COPD patients. According to GOLD 2023 (The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease), the closed triple therapy ICS/LABA/LAMA* in one inhaler is recommended and proven to reduce all-cause mortality compared to the LABA/LAMA duo therapy(6,7,9,10,11)

Associate Professor Dr. Richard Russell, Clinical Director, West Hampshire Integrated Respiratory Service, Respiratory Specialist at the Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, University of Oxford provided further evidence of the therapy's effectiveness and safety profile of the closed triple therapy of Budesonide/Glycopyrronium/Formoterol from multicenter, multinational, double-blind, randomized, controlled, parallel-group studies. The advanced Aerosphere technology helps distribute active ingredients more effectively and stably throughout the entire lung6,7; thereby reducing symptoms, improving quality of life, and significantly reducing moderate to severe exacerbations compared to the ICS/LABA and LABA/LAMA duo therapies9. Additionally, the all-cause mortality risks are 49% lower than LABA/LAMA duo therapy9,10.

In agreement with the experts, Associate Professor Tran Van Ngoc, President of Ho Chi Minh City Respiratory Society, and Associate Professor Dr. Le Thi Tuyet Lan, President of the Society of Asthma, Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Vice President of Vietnam Respiratory Association both commented that closed triple therapy represents a significant advancement, enhancing patients’ compliance and treatment success rates. This new therapy, containing 3 very familiar components that have been utilized in COPD treatment in Vietnam, will provide healthcare professionals with additional treatment options. These medications are crucial, as emphasized by GOLD 2023, which highlights the goal of reducing mortality alongside symptom alleviation, exacerbation reduction, and disease progression prevention in COPD treatment and management9,10,11

Delegates at the conference

Mr. Atul Tandon, General Director of AstraZeneca Vietnam shared: "COPD's impact extends far beyond breathing difficulties. As studies have shown, the disease's link to increased risks of heart attacks and mortality12 underscores the urgent need to prioritize COPD alongside other chronic illnesses like heart disease and lung cancer. Today, AstraZeneca is proud to showcase our research and development efforts that are delivering potentially life-changing solutions for patients. This advancement reflects our unwavering commitment to significantly contribute to improved asthma and COPD management in Vietnam, ultimately fostering a more sustainable healthcare system for the Vietnamese people".