title: Introducing the COPD Foundation Guide for Diagnosis and Management of COPD, recommendations of the COPD Foundation.
abstract: The increasing number of treatment options for managing patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) promises to improve the outcomes for COPD patients. However, determining which treatments are appropriate for individual patients has become increasingly complex. The COPD Foundation Guide for Diagnosis and Management of COPD was developed to be a practical, easy to use tool for clinicians. The Guide includes specific recommendations for diagnostic studies and treatments based on specific diagnostic criteria. This manuscript describes the rationale for the development of the Guide, the process used, the rationale for the specific recommendations and the plans for further development. The current recommendations of the COPD Foundation have been summarized in the form of Pocket Cards, which may be obtained from the Foundation at no charge (1-866-316-COPD (2673), www.copdfoundation.org).
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5910, USA. srennard@unmc.edu
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rennard
authors.forename: Byron
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thomashow
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crapo
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yawn
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McIvor
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cerreta
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mannino
mesh_terms: D029481:Bronchitis, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D015897:Comorbidity; D018450:Disease Progression; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004646:Emphysema / Q000150:complications; D005582:Foundations; D006801:Humans; D010174:Pamphlets; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*