title: [Management of stable COPD].
abstract: The term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is mainly characterised by an irreversible obstructive airway obstruction, that in most cases, is secondary to tobacco exposure. Management of the disease includes an assessment of severity, and measures to decrease FEV decline, to treat bronchial obstruction, to improve exercise tolerance and to correct abnormal gas exchange. Treatment not only requires drug therapy, but also respiratory rehabilitation, surgery of emphysema, and psychosocial support. In this way, a global strategy, adapted to the severity of COPD, can be proposed.
authors.affiliation: Département de pneumologie, CHU d'Angers, 49033 Angers 01. HaOuksel@chu-angers.fr
authors.forename: Hakima
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ouksel
authors.forename: Yannick
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Le Guen
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Racineux
mesh_terms: D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index