ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the short-term efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids(ICS)combined with long-acting beta2-agonists(LABA)for asthma-COPD overlap syndrome(ACOS). Methods The patients with stable COPD or ACOS who had been treated during the period of March 2012 to March 2015 were selected and divided into COPD group(88 patients)and ACOS group(36 patients). Pulmonary function,chest X-ray,and blood eosinophil count were detected;and mMRC scale was measured. Both groups received ICS combined with for 3 months. ACOS was defined as the patients had a self-reported survey and positive responses on bronchodilator. Results After a 3-month treatment with ICS and LABA ,an increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)was significantly greater in ACOS patients than in those with COPD alone(250 ± 42.9 and 63.1 ± 25.3, P=0.003). According to the severity of baseline FEV1,the ACOS group showed a significant difference in patients with severe to very severe airflow limitation. Conclusions Inhaled steroids combined with long-acting beta2-agonists is more efficacious in the treatment of ACOS than COPD. Lung function improves more evidently in ACOS patients with mild-to-moderate airflow limitation after treatment.