Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: diagnosis and management.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the current modalities employed in diagnosing and treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Special emphasis is placed on current guidelines, as defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.


METHODS
A comprehensive literature review for COPD serves as the basis for this article.


CONCLUSIONS
According to the National COPD Coalition (2004), there are nearly 24 million Americans who suffer from COPD. The incidence of COPD is rising globally and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. COPD is characterized by progressive decline in function, resulting in concomitant diseases, which increase healthcare dollar expenditures, thus making COPD a concern for healthcare providers in the United States and abroad.


CONCLUSIONS
Once a diagnosis of COPD is made, healthcare providers should explore multiple treatment options in an effort to find the most beneficial regimen. It is only when the treatments are individualized, including physiological therapies and cognitive approaches to lessen risks as well as to reduce exacerbations, that the patient with COPD is able to potentially experience a reasonable quality of life.
Downs
Charles A
CA
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama 35294-1210, USA. chuckdow@uab.edu
Appel
Susan J
SJ
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005100:Expectorants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D010808:Physical Examination; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014797:Vital Capacity
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005100:Expectorants