GOLD Stage 1 COPD pharmacotherapy: big question, few answers

Key Points

• The aim is to address the lack of evidence supporting pharmacotherapy in GOLD Stage 1 COPD.
• Review of current literature and clinical guidelines regarding GOLD Stage 1 COPD.
• Assessment of the prevalence of COPD in the global population.
• Identification of gaps in randomized controlled trials for Stage 1 COPD treatment.
• Approximately 50% of the 200–400 million individuals with COPD are classified as GOLD Stage 1.
• No robust randomized controlled trials currently support routine pharmacotherapy for this population.
• Calls for more comprehensive studies to evaluate treatment efficacy in Stage 1 COPD.