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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), presenting the typical respiratory symptoms such as cough, sputum, and shortness of breath, is characterized by the airway and/or parenchymal structural abnormalities. Smoking is the most representative risk factor associated with airway and lung parenchymal destruction. Recently, various risk factors other than smoking have been identified, and the new etiotypes have been proposed. Classifying patients into A-B-E groups based on patients’ symptoms and previous exacerbation history and prescribing bronchodilators are the main treatment strategy for stable COPD patients. For patients with high symptoms burden, prescribing dual bronchodilator is recommended, and for patients with high eosinophil counts, triple inhaler can be considered. However, evidence for treatment according to the new etiotype classification is insufficient, and additional efforts are needed in the future.
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