Spirometry in primary care case-identification, diagnosis and management of COPD
David Price, Alan Crockett, Mats Arne, Bernard Garbe, Rupert C M Jones, Alan Kaplan, Arnulf Langhammer, Siân Williams, Barbara P Yawn, David Price, Alan Crockett, Mats Arne, Bernard Garbe, Rupert C M Jones, Alan Kaplan, Arnulf Langhammer, Siân Williams, Barbara P Yawn
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet it remains significantly under-diagnosed. Systematic and opportunistic case-identification efforts in primary care, using questionnaires, careful assessment to identify symptoms, and follow-up spirometry, might improve diagnosis rates and enable earlier detection and management of COPD. The aims of spirometry performed for case-identification purposes are to exclude those patients with symptoms but normal lung function and identify those who require more complete investigation for COPD, including 'diagnostic standard' spirometry. Among patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD, spirometry monitoring is useful in identifying those with rapid deterioration in lung function who require further assessment. Spirometry in primary care can also support patient education and may encourage smoking cessation and treatment adherence.
Conflict of interest statement
DP either through his role at the University of Aberdeen or personally has received grants, honoraria or educational support from the following pharmaceutical companies as well as the UK NHS R&D programme: 3M Pharmaceuticals, Abbot Laboratories, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Innovata Biomed, Ivax pharmaceuticals Ltd, Merck, Sharpe and Dohme, Medeva, Novartis, Roche, Schering Plough, Yamanouchi. He does not possess any pharmaceutical shares. AJC has no conflict of interest to declare. MA has no conflict of interest to declare.
BG is a salaried Executive Director of Vitalograph (Respiratory disease and services supplier).
RJ has no conflict of interest to declare. AK has no conflict of interest to declare. AL has no conflict of interest to declare.
SW is Executive Officer of the IPCRG that receives associate corporate membership and project support from a number of pharmaceutical companies. She is also a freelance health consultant and has worked for IMPRESS, a joint initiative between the GPIAG and British Thoracic Society that receives grants from a number of pharmaceutical companies. BY has no conflict of interest to declare.
Source: PubMed