Screening and early intervention for COPD.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is on the increase. Therapeutic improvement is limited by the irreversible nature of lung tissue loss. Basic lung function tests can detect early loss of function, which may facilitate smoking cessation and other interventions likely to delay disease progression. The advent of inexpensive portable spirometers promises to permit such testing in the primary care physician's office.
Ferguson
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Wayne State University, Detroit, USA.
Petty
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D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D003376:Counseling; D003663:Decision Trees; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity