Incidence and Management of Skin Lesions and Minor Wounds in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients undergoing Advanced Bronchodilator Therapy

Abstract

While triple inhalation therapy is commonly employed in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), limited knowledge exists regarding its impact on the healing of minor wounds and integrity of the epidermis. This study investigated the impact of combining triple inhalation therapy with double bronchodilators on the aforementioned parameters in patients with stable COPD. A cross‐sectional study was conducted in Changzhou, China, from March 2022 to October 2023, involving 540 patients who had received the diagnosis of stable COPD. Combined therapy participation requirements stipulated a minimum of 6 months of uninterrupted treatment. Dermatological examinations, demographic data and clinical records were utilized to collect information regarding the elasticity, moisture content and duration of wound healing. The research revealed that there were no statistically significant differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between the groups that received triple inhalation alone and triple inhalation in combination with double bronchodilators (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, the combined therapy group demonstrated shorter duration since receiving a diagnosis of COPD (p < 0.05). It is noteworthy to remark that the combined therapy group exhibited significantly higher skin moisture content and shorter interval for wound recovery when compared with the group that only received triple inhalation (p < 0.05). Lung function measurements in combined therapy group indicated enhanced Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio, as well as a reduction in COPD exacerbations. Nevertheless, no statistically significant distinction in skin elasticity was observed among the groups (p > 0.05). The supplementary application of triple inhalation therapy and double bronchodilators in stable COPD patients not only improved respiratory outcomes but also positively impacted skin health, specifically by promoting wound healing and augmenting moisture levels. These results highlighted the possible benefits of implementing a holistic treatment approach in COPD, suggesting that incorporating these therapies could offer additional advantages to the epidermis.