Outpatient treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Comparisons with asthma - 25/08/11
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Denver, Colo
Abstract |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive syndrome of expiratory airflow limitation caused by chronic inflammation of the airways and lung parenchyma. The airway inflammatory response in COPD is initiated by smoking in the overwhelming majority of cases, and chronic exposure to cigarette smoke initiates a series of events that cause damage to central airways, peripheral airways, and terminal airspaces, leading to physiologic and clinical abnormalities. The contrasting inflammatory phenotypes of asthma and COPD have important implications for clinical and physiologic manifestations of disease, as well as for therapy. The outpatient treatment of COPD differs from the approach used in asthma and can be divided into 3 subgroups: health care maintenance, drug therapy, and nondrug therapy. Smoking cessation, regular spirometry, and immunization are important components of health care maintenance. Drug therapy consists of optimal bronchodilator therapy supplemented, when necessary, with either inhaled corticosteroids or theophylline. Nondrug therapies include pulmonary rehabilitation, supplemental oxygen, and surgery.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key words : Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, therapy
Abbreviations used : COPD, FVC, ISOLDE
Plan
This activity is available for CME credit. See page 28A for important information. Potential conflicts of interest: Dr Sutherland has received grants–research support from GlaxoSmithKline. Series editor: Harold S. Nelson, MD |
Vol 114 - N° 4
P. 715-724 - octobre 2004 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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