- management strategy of stable COPD should be predominantly based on the assessment of symptoms and future risk of exacerbations
- all individuals who smoke should be strongly encouraged and supported to quit
- main treatment goals are reduction of symptoms and future risk of exacerbations
- management strategies include pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.
© 2020, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, available from www.goldcopd.org, published in Fontana, WI, USA.
Notes:
- a major differential diagnosis is asthma. In some patients with chronic asthma, a clear distinction from COPD is not possible using current imaging and physiological testing techniques. In these patients, current management is similar to that of asthma
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) screening:
- the World Health Organization recommends that all patients with a diagnosis of COPD should be screened once especially in areas with high AATD prevalence
- a low concentration (< 20% normal) is highly suggestive of homozygous deficiency
- family members should also be screened
- a low concentration (< 20% normal) is highly suggestive of homozygous deficiency
- the World Health Organization recommends that all patients with a diagnosis of COPD should be screened once especially in areas with high AATD prevalence
Reference:
Related pages
Create an account to add page annotations
Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.