Ann Intern Med. 2020 Aug 4;173(3):ITC17-ITC32. doi: 10.7326/AITC202008040.
ABSTRACT
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and progressive airflow obstruction. Tobacco smoking is the leading cause but not the only one. A postbronchodilator FEV1-FVC ratio less than 0.70 is required for a diagnosis of COPD. Inhaler therapy is the backbone of treatment and should be complemented by a multifaceted management strategy that includes counseling and pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation, pulmonary rehabilitation, treatment of comorbidities, administration of influenza and pneumococcal immunizations, and prescription of long-term oxygen therapy in hypoxemic patients.
PMID:32745458 | DOI:10.7326/AITC202008040