Early detection of COPD in primary care--the Copenhagen COPD Screening Project.
BACKGROUND
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is among the leading causes of death in the world, and further increases in the prevalence and mortality are predicted. Delay in diagnosing COPD appears frequently even though current consensus guidelines emphasize the importance of early detection of the disease. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a screening programme in general practice.


METHODS
Subjects aged 65 years and older registered with a General Practitioner (GP) in the eastern Copenhagen will receive a written invitation and a simple questionnaire focusing on risk factors and symptoms of COPD. Subjects who meet the following criteria will be encouraged to undergo spirometric testing at their GP: current smokers, former smokers, and subjects with no smoking history but who have dyspnea and/or chronic cough with sputum.


CONCLUSIONS
The Copenhagen COPD Screening Project evaluates the effectiveness of a two-stage screening program for COPD in general practice and provides important information on how to organize early detection of COPD in general practice in the future.
Lyngsø
Anne Marie
AM
Department of Integrated Healthcare, Bisbebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. alyn0005@bbh.regionh.dk
Backer
Vibeke
V
Gottlieb
Vibeke
V
Nybo
Birgitte
B
Ostergaard
Marianne S
MS
Frølich
Anne
A
D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards*; D009313:National Health Programs; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
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