Smoking Cessation/Vaccinations
More than one-third of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continue to smoke cigarettes despite knowing they have the disease. This behavior has a negative impact on prognosis and…
Assessing Symptom Burden
Evaluating symptoms is a central part of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment system as suggested by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Considering the pros…
Surgical Therapies for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who fail maximal medical therapy and bronchoscopic interventions have surgical options to improve lung function, quality of life, and exercise performance. Carefully selected…
Interventional Bronchoscopic Therapies for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who fail maximal medical therapy have bronchoscopic options that can improve lung function, quality of life, and exercise performance. Those with upper lobe…
Oxygen Therapy and Noninvasive Ventilation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Both hypoxemic and hypercapnic respiratory failure occur in patients with progressive chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The presence of respiratory failure predicts worse prognosis and higher mortality. Supplemental oxygen therapy…
Definition, Causes, Pathogenesis, and Consequences of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations
Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are episodes of symptom worsening which have significant adverse consequences for patients. Exacerbations are highly heterogeneous events associated with increased airway and…
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an essential intervention in the management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. To guide health care professionals in the implementation and evaluation of a PR…
Systemic Medications in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Inhaled therapy remains the cornerstone of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease pharmacologic care, but some systemic treatments can be of help when the burden of the disease remains high. Azithromycin, phosphodiesterase-4…
Treatment of Acute Exacerbations in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Management of a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation begins with an accurate diagnosis. Although more than 80% of exacerbations are managed on an outpatient basis, hospitalization is all too…
Inhaled Corticosteroids in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), when used in combination with long-acting bronchodilators, reduce the risk of exacerbations and improve health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared…
