Medication use in home care patients with COPD.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States. Although many other diseases have seen a gradual decline in their associated mortality, COPD rates have increased nearly 33% from 1979 to 1991. The disease is defined as a slowly progressive obstruction of airflow that is predominantly irreversible. COPD usually begins in the fifth decade of life as an increased cough. Dyspnea on exertion is frequently observed in the sixth or seventh decade.
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific, Stockton, Calif. 95211, USA.
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Carr-Lopez
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Salem
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Catania
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000451:nursing; D010353:Patient Education as Topic
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists