title: A changing landscape: diagnosis and management of COPD.
abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and often particularly debilitating disease. Progressively worsening breathlessness can limit normal daily functioning, reduce quality of life (QoL) and increase the risk of premature death. Importantly, early diagnosis, improving symptoms and QoL, along with minimising exacerbations and hospital admissions, are primary goals of patient care. In recent years, the assessment of COPD has moved away from equating disease severity solely with the degree of obstructive lung impairment to include patient symptoms, exacerbation history and comorbidities, as well as smoking status. There are now more therapies that reduce symptoms and prevent exacerbations, thereby improving QoL. This review explores the diagnosis and management of COPD and positive clinical approaches to managing patients.
authors.affiliation: General Practitioner, Park Medical Practice, Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scullion
mesh_terms: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013727:Terminal Care
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents
keywords: Assessment; Breathlessness; COPD; Management; Primary care; Quality of life