Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Primary Care Setting: How Can We Achieve More for Our Patients?

An estimated 14.8 million people are currently diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the US. However, the true number is substantially more: National Institutes of Health statistics suggest there may be up to 12 million undiagnosed patients.1 This translates to 10 –21% of older adults seen in medical practices.2 Improved detection of COPD is key to optimal treatment and prevention of deterioration in patients. COPD should be included in the differential diagnoses of patients with chronic respiratory symptoms and recurrent acute respiratory events, particula rly among high-risk groups, e.g.
Source: The American Journal of Medicine - Category: General Medicine Authors: Source Type: research