In patients with COPD, roflumilast is utilized primarily to:

Roflumilast is primarily used in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to reduce the frequency of exacerbations. It is a phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitor that helps to mitigate inflammation within the airways, leading to a decrease in the occurrence of acute exacerbations, which are often characterized by increased shortness of breath, coughing, and sputum production. By lowering the incidence of these exacerbations, roflumilast can improve overall disease management and enhance patients' quality of life.

While other options such as providing immediate symptom relief, improving lung function, or enhancing oxygenation might seem relevant, they do not represent the primary role of roflumilast in the treatment of COPD. The drug does not act as a rapid bronchodilator and is not specifically designed for immediate symptom control. Its effects on lung function improvement are generally gradual and not its primary indication. Additionally, it does not have a direct impact on oxygenation levels in the same way that other treatments might. Hence, the focus of roflumilast's action is to decrease the frequency of exacerbations, which is essential for managing COPD effectively.