Inhalation Therapy for Stable COPD: 20 Years of GOLD Reports

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) was formed in the late 1990s to spread awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as a major public health problem and facilitate its prevention and treatment. GOLD has since become internationally recognized for the development of evidence-based strategy documents, most notably the annual GOLD Reports, for COPD diagnosis, management, and prevention. The GOLD Reports incorporate the latest evidence and expert consensus to guide the management and prevention of COPD on a global level. Since the first GOLD Report in 2001, profound innovations have taken place regarding inhaler device options, available pharmaceuticals, knowledge regarding effective dosages and potential side effects, and the various combinations of drugs used to relieve symptoms. Concomitantly, an evolution of expert opinion on how best to apply these innovations to the care of patients with COPD has also taken place, an evolution that is nowhere more detailed or definitive than in the 20 years of annual GOLD Reports. We summarize key features and trends in inhalation therapy for stable COPD in these Reports.