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Management of stable COPD

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

  • management strategy of stable COPD should be predominantly based on the assessment of symptoms and future risk of exacerbations
  • all individuals who smoke should be strongly encouraged and supported to quit
  • main treatment goals are reduction of symptoms and future risk of exacerbations
  • management strategies include pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

 

© 2020, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, available from www.goldcopd.org, published in Fontana, WI, USA.

Notes:

  • a major differential diagnosis is asthma. In some patients with chronic asthma, a clear distinction from COPD is not possible using current imaging and physiological testing techniques. In these patients, current management is similar to that of asthma
  • Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) screening:
    • the World Health Organization recommends that all patients with a diagnosis of COPD should be screened once especially in areas with high AATD prevalence
      • a low concentration (< 20% normal) is highly suggestive of homozygous deficiency
        • family members should also be screened

Reference:


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