Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation that is usually progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response. Worldwide, cigarette smoking is the most common risk factor for COPD. A diagnosis of COPD should be considered for patients with dyspnea, chronic cough or sputum production, and a history of risk factor exposure, especially smoking. The diagnosis is confirmed by spirometry showing an FEV1/FVC ratio below the lower limit of normal. Management includes reducing risk factors, monitoring disease progression, managing stable COPD, and treating exacerbations.

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POCKET GUIDE
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TO COPD DIAGNOSIS, MANAGEMENT,
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AND PREVENTION
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A Guide for Health Care Professionals
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U P D A T ED 2 0

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3. TA B L E O F CON T EN T S
3 P R EFA CE
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5 K EY P O I N T S
6 W H AT I S CH R O N I C OB S T R U CT I V E
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P U L M ON A R Y D I S EA S E ( CO P D ) ?
7 R I S K FA CT OR S : WH AT CA U S ES CO P D ?
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8 D I A GN O S I N G COP D
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Figure 1: Key Indicators for Considering a
COPD Diagnosis
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Figure 2: Normal Spirogram and Spirogram Typical of
Patients with Mild to Moderate COPD
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Figure 3: Differential Diagnosis of COPD
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13
CO M P ON EN T S OF CA R E:
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A COP D M A N A G EM EN T P R O GR A M
Co m p o n e n t 1 : A s s e s s a n d M o n i t o r D i s e a s e
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15 Co m p o n e n t 2 : R e d u ce R i s k F a ct o r s
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Figure 4: Strategy to Help a Patient Quit Smoking
17 Co m p o n e n t 3 : M a n a g e S t a b l e COP D
Patient Education
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Pharmacologic Treatment
Figure 5: Commonly Used Formulations of Drugs for COPD
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Non-Pharmacologic Treatment
Figure 6: Therapy at Each Stage of COPD
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22 Co m p o n e n t 4 : M a n a g e Ex a ce r b a t i o n s
How to Assess the Severity of an Exacerbation
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Home Management
Hospital Management
Figure 7: Indications for Hospital Admission
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for Exacerbations
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24 A P P EN D I X I : S P I R OM ET R Y F OR D I A G N OS I S OF COP D
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4. PREFACE
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major cause of
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chronic morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The Globa l
In it iat iv e f or Ch ro n ic Ob s t r u ct iv e L u n g Dis eas e was created to
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increase awareness of COPD among health professionals, public health
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authorities, and the general public, and to improve prevention and
management through a concerted worldwide effort. The Initiative
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prepares scientific reports on COPD, encourages dissemination and
adoption of the reports, and promotes international collaboration on
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COPD research.
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While COPD has been recognized for many years, public health officials
are concerned about continuing increases in its prevalence and mortality,
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which are due in large part to the increasing use of tobacco products
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worldwide and the changing age structure of populations in developing
countries. The Global In it iat iv e f or Ch r on ic Obs t r u ct iv e L u n g
Dis eas e offers a framework for management of COPD that can be
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adapted to local health care systems and resources. Educational tools,
such as laminated cards or computer-based learning programs, can be
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prepared that are tailored to these systems and resources.
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The Glob al In it iat iv e f or Ch r on ic Ob s t r u ct iv e L u n g Dis eas e
program includes the following publications:
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• Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of
COPD. Scientific information and recommendations for COPD
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programs. (Updated 2010)
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• Executive Summary, Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management,
and Prevention of COPD. (Updated 2010)
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• Pocket Guide to COPD Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention.
Summary of patient care information for primary health care
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professionals. (Updated 2010)
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• What You and Your Family Can Do About COPD. Information booklet
for patients and their families.
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A ck n o w l e d g e m e n t s : Grateful acknowledgement is given for the educational
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grants from Almirall, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Dey, Forest
Laboratories, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Nycomed, Pfizer, Philips Respironics, and
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Schering-Plough. The generous contributions of these companies assured that the
participants could meet together and publications could be printed for wide distribu-
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tion. The participants, however, are solely responsible for the statements and con-
clusions in the publications.
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4

6. KEY POINTS
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• Ch r o n i c O b s t r u ct i v e P u l m o n a r y D i s e a s e ( COP D ) is a
preventable and treatable disease with some significant extra-
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pulmonary effects that may contribute to the severity in individual
patients. Its pulmonary component is characterized by airflow limitation
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that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually progressive
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and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lung
to noxious particles or gases.
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• Worldwide, the most commonly encountered r i s k f a ct o r for COPD
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is ci g a r e t t e s m o k i n g . A t e v e r y p o s s i b l e o p p o r t u n i t y
i n d i v i d u a l s w h o s m o k e s h o u l d b e e n co u r a g e d t o q u i t . In
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many countries, air pollution resulting from the burning of wood and
other biomass fuels has also been identified as a COPD risk factor.
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• A d i a g n o s i s of COPD should be considered in any patient who has
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dyspnea, chronic cough or sputum production, and/or a history of
exposure to risk factors for the disease. The diagnosis should be
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confirmed by spirometry.
• A CO P D m a n a g e m e n t p r o g r a m includes four components:
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assess and monitor disease, reduce risk factors, manage stable
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COPD, and manage exacerbations.
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• P h a r m a co l o g i c t r e a t m e n t can prevent and control symptoms,
reduce the frequency and severity of exacerbations, improve health
status, and improve exercise tolerance.
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• P a t i e n t e d u ca t i o n can help improve skills, ability to cope with
illness, and health status. It is an effective way to accomplish smoking
cessation, initiate discussions and understanding of advance directives
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and end-of-life issues, and improve responses to acute exacerbations.
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• COPD is often associated with e x a ce r b a t i o n s of symptoms.
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7. WHAT IS CHRONIC
OBSTRUCTIVE
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PULMONARY DISEASE
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(COPD)?
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Ch r o n i c Ob s t r u ct i v e P u l m o n a r y D i s e a s e ( CO P D ) is a preventable
or
and treatable disease with some significant extrapulmonary effects that may
contribute to the severity in individual patients. Its pulmonary component
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is characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The air-
flow limitation is usually progressive and associated with an abnormal
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inflammatory response of the lung to noxious particles or gases.
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This definition does not use the terms chronic bronchitis and emphysema*
and excludes asthma (reversible airflow limitation).
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S y m p t o m s o f CO P D i n cl u d e :
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• Cough
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• Sputum production
• Dyspnea on exertion
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Episodes of acute worsening of these symptoms often occur.
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Ch r o n i c co u g h a n d s p u t u m p r o d u ct i o n o f t e n p r e ce d e t h e
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d e v e l o p m e n t o f a i r f l o w l i m i t a t io n b y m a n y y e a r s , a l t h o u g h
n o t a l l i n d i v i d u a l s w i t h co u g h a n d s p u t u m p r o d u ct i o n g o o n
t o d e v e l o p COP D .
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*Chronic bronchitis, defined as the presence of cough and sputum production for at least 3
months in each of 2 consecutive years, is not necessarily associated with airflow limitation.
Emphysema, defined as destruction of the alveoli, is a pathological term that is sometimes
(incorrectly) used clinically and describes only one of several structural abnormalities present
in patients with COPD.
6

8. RISK FACTORS:
WHAT CAUSES COPD?
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Wo r l d w i d e , ci g a r e t t e s m o k i n g i s t h e m o s t co m m o n l y
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e n co u n t e r e d r i s k f a ct o r f o r CO P D .
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The genetic risk factor that is best documented is a severe hereditary
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deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin. It provides a model for how other
genetic risk factors are thought to contribute to COPD.
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COPD risk is related to the total burden of inhaled particles a person
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encounters over their lifetime:
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• To b a cco s m o k e , including cigarette, pipe, cigar, and other types
of tobacco smoking popular in many countries, as well as
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environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
• Occu p a t i o n a l d u s t s a n d ch e m i ca l s (vapors, irritants, and
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fumes) when the exposures are sufficiently intense or prolonged
• I n d o o r a i r p o l l u t i o n from biomass fuel used for cooking and
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heating in poorly vented dwellings, a risk factor that particularly
affects women in developing countries
• Ou t d o o r a i r p o l l u t i o n also contributes to the lungs’ total burden
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of inhaled particles, although it appears to have a relatively small
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effect in causing COPD
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In addition, any factor that affects lung growth during gestation and
childhood (low birth weight, respiratory infections, etc.) has the potential
for increasing an individual’s risk of developing COPD.
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9. DIAGNOSING
COPD
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A diagnosis of COPD should be considered in any patient who has dyspnea,
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chronic cough or sputum production, and/or a history of exposure to risk
factors for the disease, especially cigarette smoking (F i g u r e 1 ).
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F i g u r e 1 : K e y I n d i ca t o r s f o r Co n s id e r i n g a COP D D i a g n o s i s
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Consider COPD, and perform spirometry, if any of these indicators
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are present in an individual over age 40. These indicators are not
diagnostic themselves, but the presence of multiple key indicators
increases the probability of a diagnosis of COPD.
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• D y s p n e a that is: Progressive (worsens over time).
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Usually worse with exercise.
Persistent (present every day).
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Described by the patient as an “increased
effort to breathe,” “heaviness,” “air hunger,”
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or “gasping.”
• Ch r o n ic co u g h : May be intermittent and may be unproductive.
• Ch r o n ic s p u t u m p r o d u ct i o n :
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Any pattern of chronic sputum production may
indicate COPD.
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• H i s t o r y o f e x p o s u r e t o r i s k f a ct o r s :
To b a cco s m o k e ( in cl u d in g p o p u l a r l o ca l
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p r e p a r a t io n s ) .
Occupational dusts and chemicals.
Smoke from home cooking and heating fuel.
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T h e d i a g n o s i s s h o u l d b e co n f i r m e d b y s p i r o m e t r y *
( F i g u r e 2 , p a g e 9 a n d A p p e n d i x I, p a g e 2 4 ) .
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*Where spirometry is unavailable, the diagnosis of COPD should be made using all
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available tools. Clinical symptoms and signs (abnormal shortness of breath and increased
forced expiratory time) can be used to help with the diagnosis. A low peak flow is consistent
with COPD but has poor specificity since it can be caused by other lung diseases and by
poor performance. In the interest of improving the accuracy of a diagnosis of COPD, every
effort should be made to provide access to standardized spirometry.
8

10. When performing spirometry, measure:
• F orced V ital Capacity (F V C) and
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• F orced Expiratory V olume in one second (F EV 1 ).
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Calculate the FEV1/FVC ratio.
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Spirometric results are expressed as % P r e d i ct e d using
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appropriate normal values for the person’s sex, age, and height.
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F i g u r e 2 : N o r m a l S p i r o g r a m a n d S p i r o g r a m Ty p i ca l o f
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P a t i e n t s w i t h M i l d t o M o d e r a t e CO P D *
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*Postbronchodilator FEV1 is recommended for the diagnosis
and assessment of severity of COPD.
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P a t i e n t s w i t h COP D t y p ica l l y s h o w a d e cr e a s e in b o t h F EV 1
a n d F EV 1 /F V C. T h e d e g r e e o f s p i r o m e t r ic a b n o r m a l i t y
g e n e r a l l y r e f l e ct s t h e s e v e r i t y o f COP D . H o w e v e r, b o t h
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s y m p t o m s a n d s p ir o m e t r y s h o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d w h e n
d e v e l o p in g a n i n d i v id u a l i z e d m a n a g e m e n t s t r a t e g y f o r
e a ch p a t i e n t .
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12. D if f e r e n t ia l D i a g n o s i s : A major differential diagnosis is asthma. In
some patients with chronic asthma, a clear distinction from COPD is not
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possible using current imaging and physiological testing techniques. In these
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patients, current management is similar to that of asthma. Other potential
diagnoses are usually easier to distinguish from COPD (F ig u r e 3 ).F
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F i g u r e 3 : D i f f e r e n t i a l D i a g n o s i s o f CO P D
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D ia g n o s is Su g g e s t iv e Fe a t u r e s *
COPD Onset in mid-life.
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Symptoms slowly progressive.
Long smoking history.
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Dyspnea during exercise.
Largely irreversible airflow limitation.
Asthma
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Onset early in life (often childhood).
Symptoms vary from day to day.
Symptoms at night/early morning.
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Allergy, rhinitis, and/or eczema also present.
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Family history of asthma.
Largely reversible airflow limitation.
Congestive Heart Failure Fine basilar crackles on auscultation.
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Chest X-ray shows dilated heart, pulmonary edema.
Pulmonary function tests indicate volume restriction, not airflow
limitation.
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Bronchiectasis Large volumes of purulent sputum.
Commonly associated with bacterial infection.
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Coarse crackles/clubbing on auscultation.
Chest X-ray/CT shows bronchial dilation, bronchial wall thickening.
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Tuberculosis Onset all ages.
Chest X-ray shows lung infiltrate or nodular lesions.
Microbiological confirmation.
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High local prevalence of tuberculosis.
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Obliterative Bronchiolitis Onset in younger age, nonsmokers.
May have history of rheumatoid arthritis or fume exposure.
CT on expiration shows hypodense areas.
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Diffuse Panbronchiolitis Most patients are male and nonsmokers.
Almost all have chronic sinusitis.
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Chest X-ray and HRCT show diffuse small centrilobular
nodular opacities and hyperinflation.
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*These features tend to be characteristic of the respective diseases, but do not occur in
every case. For example, a person who has never smoked may develop COPD (especially
in the developing world, where other risk factors may be more important than cigarette
smoking); asthma may develop in adult and even elderly patients.
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13. COMPONENTS OF CARE:
A COPD MANAGEMENT
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PROGRAM
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The goals of COPD management include:
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• Relieve symptoms
• Prevent disease progression
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• Improve exercise tolerance
• Improve health status
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•
Prevent and treat complications
Prevent and treat exacerbations
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• Reduce mortality
• Prevent or minimize side effects from treatment
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Cessation of cigarette smoking should be included as a goal throughout
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the management program.
T H ES E GOA L S CA N B E A CH I EV ED T H R OU G H
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I M P L EM EN TAT I ON OF A COP D M A N A GEM EN T P R OG R A M
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WI T H F OU R COM P O N EN T S :
1 . A s s e s s a n d M o n it o r D is e a s e
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2 . R e d u ce R i s k F a ct o r s
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3 . M a n a g e S t a b l e CO P D
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4 . M a n a g e Ex a c e r b a t i o n s
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14. Component 1: Assess and Monitor Disease
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A d e t a i l e d m e d i ca l h i s t o r y of a new patient known or thought to
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have COPD should assess:
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• Exposure to risk factors, including intensity and duration.
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• Past medical history, including asthma, allergy, sinusitis or nasal
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polyps, respiratory infections in childhood, and other respiratory
diseases.
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• Family history of COPD or other chronic respiratory disease.
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• Pattern of symptom development.
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• History of exacerbations or previous hospitalizations for
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respiratory disorder.
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• Presence of comorbidities, such as heart disease, malignancies,
osteoporosis, and musculoskeletal disorders, which may also
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contribute to restriction of activity.
• Appropriateness of current medical treatments.
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• Impact of disease on patient’s life, including limitation of activity;
missed work and economic impact; effect on family routines; and
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feelings of depression or anxiety.
• Social and family support available to the patient.
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• Possibilities for reducing risk factors, especially smoking cessation.
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16. Component 2: Reduce Risk Factors
S m o k i n g ce s s a t i o n i s t h e s i n g l e m o s t e f f e ct i v e —a n d co s t -
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e f f e ct i v e —i n t e r v e n t i o n t o r e d u ce t h e r i s k o f d e v e l o p i n g
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COP D a n d s l o w i t s p r o g r e s s i o n .
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• Even a brief, 3-minute period of counseling to urge a smoker to
quit can be effective, and at a minimum this should be done for
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every smoker at every health care provider visit. More intensive
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strategies increase the likelihood of sustained quitting (F i g u r e 4 ).
F
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• Pharmacotherapy (nicotine replacement, buproprion/nortryptiline,
and/or varenicline) is recommended when counseling is not sufficient
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to help patients stop smoking. Special consideration should be
given before using pharmacotherapy in people smoking fewer than
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10 cigarettes per day, pregnant women, adolescents, and those
with medical contraindications (unstable coronary artery disease,
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untreated peptic ulcer, and recent myocardial infarction or stroke
for nicotine replacement; and history of seizures for buproprion).
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F ig u r e 4 : S t r a t e g y t o H e l p a P a t ie n t Qu it Sm o k in g
1. A S K : Systematically identify all tobacco users at every visit.
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Implement an office-wide system that ensures that, for EVERY patient
at EVERY clinic visit, tobacco-use status is queried and documented.
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2. A D V I S E: Strongly urge all tobacco users to quit.
In a clear, strong, and personalized manner, urge every tobacco user
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to quit.
3. A S S ES S : Determine willingness to make a quit attempt.
Ask every tobacco user if he or she is willing to make a quit attempt
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at this time (e.g., within the next 30 days).
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4. A S S I S T: Aid the patient in quitting.
Help the patient with a quit plan; provide practical counseling;
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provide intra-treatment social support; help the patient obtain
extra-treatment social support; recommend use of approved
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pharmacotherapy if appropriate; provide supplementary materials.
5. A R R A NG E: Schedule follow-up contact.
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Schedule follow-up contact, either in person or via telephone.
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17. S m o k i n g P r e v e n t i o n : Encourage comprehensive tobacco-control
policies and programs with clear, consistent, and repeated nonsmoking
messages. Work with government officials to pass legislation to establish
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smoke-free schools, public facilities, and work environments and
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encourage patients to keep smoke-free homes.
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Occu p a t i o n a l Ex p o s u r e s : Emphasize primary prevention, which
is best achieved by elimination or reduction of exposures to various
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substances in the workplace. Secondary prevention, achieved through
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surveillance and early detection, is also important.
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I n d o o r a n d O u t d o o r A i r P o l l u t i o n : Implement measures to reduce
or avoid indoor air pollution from biomass fuel, burned for cooking and
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heating in poorly ventilated dwellings. Advise patients to monitor public
announcements of air quality and, depending on the severity of their
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disease, avoid vigorous exercise outdoors or stay indoors altogether
during pollution episodes.
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18. Component 3: Manage Stable COPD
M a n a g e m e n t o f s t a b l e CO P D s h o u l d b e g u i d e d b y t h e
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f o l l o w i n g g e n e r a l p r i n ci p l e s :
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• Determine disease severity on an individual basis by taking into
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account the patient’s symptoms, airflow limitation, frequency and
severity of exacerbations, complications, respiratory failure,
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comorbidities, and general health status.
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• Implement a stepwise treatment plan that reflects this assessment of
disease severity.
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• Choose treatments according to national and cultural preferences,
the patient’s skills and preferences, and the local availability of
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medications.
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P a t i e n t e d u ca t i o n can help improve skills, ability to cope with illness,
and health status. It is an effective way to accomplish smoking cessation,
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initiate discussions and understanding of advance directives and end-of-
life issues, and improve responses to acute exacerbations.
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P h a r m a co l o g i c t r e a t m e n t (F i g u r e 5 ) can control and prevent
F
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symptoms, reduce the frequency and severity of exacerbations, improve
health status, and improve exercise tolerance.
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B r o n ch o d i l a t o r s : These medications are central to symptom
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management in COPD.
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• Inhaled therapy is preferred.
• Give “as needed” to relieve intermittent or worsening symptoms, and
on a regular basis to prevent or reduce persistent symptoms.
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• The choice between ␤2-agonists, anticholinergics, methylxanthines,
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and combination therapy depends on the availability of medications
and each patient’s individual response in terms of both symptom
relief and side effects.
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• Regular treatment with long-acting bronchodilators, including nebu-
lized formulations, is more effective and convenient than treatment
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with short-acting bronchodilators.
• Combining bronchodilators of different pharmacologic classes may
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improve efficacy and decrease the risk of side effects compared to
increasing the dose of a single bronchodilator.
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20. Inhaled Glucocorticosteroids: Regular treatment with inhaled
glucocorticosteroids does not modify the long-term decline in FEV1 but
has been shown to reduce the frequency of exacerbations and thus
improve health status for symptomatic patients with an FEV1 < 50%
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predicted and repeated exacerbations (for example, 3 in the last three
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years). The dose-response relationships and long-term safety of inhaled
glucocorticosteroids in COPD are not known. Treatment with inhaled glu-
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cocorticosteroids increases the likelihood of pneumonia and does not
reduce overall mortality.
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An inhaled glucocorticosteroid combined with a long-acting β2-agonist is
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more effective than the individual components in reducing exacerbations
and improving lung function and health status. Combination therapy
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increases the likelihood of pneumonia and has no significant effects on
mortality. In patients with an FEV1 less than 60%, pharmacotherapy with
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long-acting β2-agonist, inhaled glucocorticosteroid and its combination
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decreases the rate of decline of lung function. Addition of a long-acting
β2-agonist/inhaled glucocorticosteroid to an anticholinergic (tiotropium)
appears to provide additional benefits.
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Oral Glucocorticosteroids: Long-term treatment with oral glucocorticosteroids
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is not recommended.
Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors: In patients with Stage III: Severe COPD or
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Stage IV: Very Severe COPD and a history of exacerbations and chronic
bronchitis, the phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, roflumilast, reduces exacerba-
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tions treated with oral glucocorticosteroids. These effects are also seen
when roflumilast is added to long-acting bronchodilators; there are no
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comparison studies with inhaled glucocorticosteroids.
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Vaccines: Influenza vaccines reduce serious illness and death in COPD
patients by 50%. Vaccines containing killed or live, inactivated viruses
are recommended, and should be given once each year. Pneumococcal
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polysaccharide vaccine is recommended for COPD patients 65 years and
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older, and has been shown to reduce community-acquired pneumonia in
those under age 65 with FEV1 < 40% predicted.
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An t ibiot ics : Not recommended except for treatment of infectious
exacerbations and other bacterial infections.
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M u co ly t ic (Mu co k in et ic, Mu cor e gu lat or ) Agen t s: Patients with
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viscous sputum may benefit from mucolytics, but overall benefits are very
small. Use is not recommended.
An t it u s siv e s: Regular use contraindicated in stable COPD.
19

21. Non - P h ar m acolo gic Tr e at m en t includes rehabilitation, oxygen
therapy, and surgical interventions.
Rehabilitation: Patients at all stages of disease benefit from exercize
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training programs improvements in exercise tolerance and symptoms of
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dyspnea and fatigue. Benefits can be sustained even after a single pulmo-
nary rehabilitation program. The minimum length of an effective rehabili-
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tation program is 6 weeks; the longer the program continues, the more
effective the results. Benefit does wane after a rehabilitation program
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ends, but if exercise training is maintained at home the patient's health
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status remains above pre-rehabilitation levels.
Th e go a ls of pu lm on a r y r eh ab ilit at io n a r e t o r ed u ce s y m pt o m s ,
or
im pr o v e qu a lit y o f life, a n d in cr ea s e pa r t icipa t io n in ev er y da y
Patients it ies . stages of disease benefit from exercise training programs,
a ct iv at all
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Ox y gen Th e r apy : The long-term administration of oxygen (>15 hours
per day) to patients with chronic respiratory failure increases survival and
has a beneficial impact on pulmonary hemodynamics, hematologic
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characteristics, exercise capacity, lung mechanics, and mental state.
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Initiate oxygen therapy for patients with Stage IV: Very Severe COPD if:
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• PaO2 is at or below 7.3 kPa (55 mm Hg) or SaO2 is at or below
88%, with or without hypercapnia; or
• PO2 is between 7.3 kPa (55 mm Hg) and 8.0 kPa (60 mm Hg)
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or SaO2 is 88%, if there is evidence of pulmonary hypertension,
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peripheral edema suggesting congestive heart failure, or
polycythemia (hematocrit > 55%).
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Th e go a l o f lo n g- t er m o x y gen t h er a py is t o in cr ea s e t h e ba s e-
lin e P a O2 a t r es t t o a t lea s t 8.0 k P a (60 m m Hg) a t s ea lev el,
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a n d/o r pr o du ce Sa O2 a t lea s t 90% , w h ich w ill p r es er v e v it al
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o r ga n f u n ct io n b y en s u r in g an ad equ at e d eliv er y of o x y gen .
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Su r gical Tr e at m en t s : Bullectomy and lung transplantation may be
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considered in carefully selected patients with Stage IV: Very Severe
COPD. There is currently no sufficient evidence that would support the
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widespread use of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS).
Th er e is n o con v in cin g ev iden ce t h at m ech an ical v en t ilat or y
su ppor t h as a role in t h e rou tin e m an agem en t of stable COP D.
20

22. A summary of characteristics and recommended treatment at each stage
of COPD is shown in F i g u r e 6 .
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Figure 6: Therapy at Each Stage of COPD*
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I: Mild II: Moderate III: Severe IV: Very Severe
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• FEV1/FVC < 0.70
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• FEV1/FVC < 0.70 • FEV1 < 30% predicted
or FEV1 < 50%
•
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FEV1/FVC < 0.70 predicted plus chronic
respiratory failure
• FEV1/FVC < 0.70 • 30% ≤ FEV < 50%
1
•
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50% ≤ FEV < 80% predicted
1
• FEV1 ≥ 8 0% predicted predicted
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Active reduction of risk factor(s); influenza vaccination
Add short-acting bronchodilator (when needed)
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Add regular treatment with one or more long-acting bronchodilators
(when needed); Add rehabilitation
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Add inhaled glucocorticosteroids if
repeated exacerbations
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Add long term oxygen if
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chronic respiratory
failure
Consider surgical
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treatments
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*Postbronchodilator FEV1 is recommended for the diagnosis and
assessment of severity of COPD.
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21

23. Component 4: Manage Exacerbations
An exacerbation of COPD is defined as a n e v e n t in t h e n a t u r a l
e
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co u r s e o f t h e d i s e a s e ch a r a ct e r i z e d b y a ch a n g e i n t h e
p a t i e n t ’s b a s e l i n e d y s p n e a , co u g h , a n d /o r s p u t u m t h a t i s
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b e y o n d n o r m a l d a y - t o - d a y v a r i a t i o n s , i s a cu t e i n o n s e t ,
a n d m a y w a r r a n t a ch a n g e i n r e g u l a r m e d i ca t i o n i n a
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p a t i e n t w i t h u n d e r l y i n g CO P D .
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The most common causes of an exacerbation are infection of the
tracheobronchial tree and air pollution, but the cause of about one-third
or
of severe exacerbations cannot be identified.
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H o w t o A s s e s s t h e S e v e r i t y o f a n Ex a ce r b a t i o n
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Arterial blood gas measurements (in hospital):
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• PaO2 < 8.0 kPa (60 mm Hg) and/or SaO2 < 90% with or without
PaCO2 > 6.7 kPa, (50 mmHg) when breathing room air indicates
respiratory failure.
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• Moderate-to-severe acidosis (pH < 7.36) plus hypercapnia (PaCO2
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> 6-8 kPa, 45-60 mm Hg) in a patient with respiratory failure is an
indication for mechanical ventilation.
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Chest X-ray: Chest radiographs (posterior/anterior plus lateral) identify
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alternative diagnoses that can mimic the symptoms of an exacerbation.
ECG: Aids in the diagnosis of right ventricular hypertrophy, arrhythmias,
and ischemic episodes.
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Other laboratory tests:
• Sputum culture and antibiogram to identify infection if there is
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no response to initial antibiotic treatment.
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• Biochemical tests to detect electrolyte disturbances, diabetes,
and poor nutrition.
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• Whole blood count can identify polycythemia or bleeding.
22

24. Hom e Car e o r Ho s pit al Car e f o r En d - St a ge COP D P at ien t s ?
Th e r is k of dy in g f ro m a n ex acer ba t io n o f COP D is clos ely r ela t ed
t o t h e dev elo p m en t o f r es pir a t o r y acido s is , t h e p r es en ce o f
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s er iou s com o r b idit ies , a n d t h e n eed f o r v en t ila t o r y s u pp o r t .
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P at ien t s lack in g t h es e f eat u r es a r e n o t at h igh r is k o f dy in g , bu t
t h o s e w it h s ev er e u n der ly in g COP D o f ten r eq u ir e h o s p ita lizat io n
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in a n y ca s e. At t em p t s at m a n ag in g s u ch p at ien t s en t ir ely in t h e
co m m u n it y h av e m et w it h lim it ed s u cces s , b u t r et u r n in g t h em
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t o t h eir h om es w it h in cr ea s ed s o cia l s u p po r t an d a s u p er v is ed
m edica l car e p ro g r am af t er an in it ia l em er gen cy r o om as s es s m en t
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h as b een m u ch m o r e s u cces s f u l. Ho w ev er, d et ailed co s t - ben ef it
a n a ly s es o f t h es e ap p ro a ch es h av e n o t b een r ep o r t ed .
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H om e Ma n age m e n t
B ron ch odila t o r s: Increase dose and/or frequency of existing short-
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acting bronchodilator therapy, preferably with 2-agonists. If not already
used, add anticholinergics until symptoms improve.
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Glu cocor t ico st er oids : If baseline FEV1 < 50% predicted, add 30-40
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mg oral prednisolone per day for 7-10 days to the bronchodilator regimen.
Budesonide alone may be an alternative to oral glucocorticosteroids in the
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treatment of exacerbations and is associated with significant reduction
of complications.
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H os pit a l Man agem en t
Patients with the characteristics listed in Figu r e 7 should be hospitalized.
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Indications for referral and the management of exacerbations of COPD
in the hospital depend on local resources and the facilities of the local
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hospital.
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Figu r e 7: In dica t io n s fo r Ho s pit al Adm is s ion fo r Ex acerb at ion s
• Marked increase in intensity of • Failure of exacerbation to respond
symptoms, such as sudden develop- to initial medical management
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ment of resting dyspnea • Significant comorbidities
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• Severe underlying COPD • Frequent exacerbations
• Onset of new physical signs (e.g., • Newly occurring arrhythmias
cyanosis, peripheral edema) • Diagnostic uncertainty
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• Older age
• Insufficient home support
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An t ibio t ics: Antibiotics should be given to patients:
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• With the following three cardinal symptoms: increased dyspnea,
increased sputum volume, increased sputum purulence
• With increased sputum purulence and one other cardinal symptom
• Who require mechanical ventilation
23

25. APPENDIX I:
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SPIROMETRY FOR
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DIAGNOSIS OF COPD
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Spirometry is as important for the diagnosis of COPD as blood
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pressure measurements are for the diagnosis of hypertension.
Spirometry should be available to all health care professionals.
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Wh a t is S p i r o m e t r y ?
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S p i r o m e t r y is a simple test to measure the amount of air a
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person can breathe out, and the amount of time taken to do so.
A s p i r o m e t e r is a device used to measure how effectively, and
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how quickly, the lungs can be emptied.
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A s p i r o g r a m is a volume-time curve.
Spirometry measurements used for diagnosis of COPD include
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(see Figure 2, page 9):
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• F V C (Forced Vital Capacity): maximum volume of air that
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can be exhaled during a forced maneuver.
• F EV 1 (Forced Expired Volume in one second): volume expired in
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the first second of maximal expiration after a maximal inspiration.
This is a measure of how quickly the lungs can be emptied.
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• F EV 1/F V C: FEV1 expressed as a percentage of the FVC,
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gives a clinically useful index of airflow limitation.
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The ratio FEV1/FVC is between 70% and 80% in normal adults; a
value less than 70% indicates airflow limitation and the possibility
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of COPD.
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FEV1 is influenced by the age, sex, height and ethnicity, and is
best considered as a percentage of the predicted normal value.
There is a vast literature on normal values; those appropriate for
local populations should be used1,2,3.
24

26. W h y d o S p i r o m e t r y f o r CO P D ?
• Spirometry is needed to make a firm diagnosis of COPD.
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• Together with the presence of symptoms, spirometry helps stage
COPD severity and can be a guide to specific treatment steps.
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• A normal value for spirometry effectively excludes the diagnosis
of clinically relevant COPD.
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• The lower the percentage predicted FEV1, the worse the
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subsequent prognosis.
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• FEV1 declines over time and faster in COPD than in healthy
subjects. Spirometry can be used to monitor disease progres-
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sion, but to be reliable the intervals between measurements must
be at least 12 months.
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W h a t Yo u N e e d t o P e r f o r m S p i r o m e t r y
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Several types of spirometers are available:
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• relatively large bellows or rolling-seal spirometers (usually only
available in pulmonary function laboratories). Calibration
should be checked against a known volume e.g. from a 3-litre
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syringe on a regular basis.
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• smaller hand-held devices, often with electronic calibration
systems.
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A hard copy of the volume time plot is very useful to check
optimal performance and interpretation, and to exclude errors.
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Most spirometers require electrical power to permit operation of
the motor and/or sensors. Some battery operated versions are
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available that can dock with a computer to provide hard copy.
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25

27. I t i s e s s e n t i a l t o l e a r n h o w y o u r m a ch i n e i s ca l i b r a t e d
a n d w h e n a n d h o w t o cl e a n i t .
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H o w t o P e r f o r m S p ir o m e t r y
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Spirometry is best performed with the patient seated. Patients may
be anxious about performing the tests properly, and should be
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reassured. Careful explanation of the test, accompanied by a
demonstration, is very useful. The patient should:
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• Breathe in fully.
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• Seal their lips around the mouthpiece.
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• Force the air out of the chest as hard and fast as they can
until their lungs are completely “empty.”
• Breathe in again and relax. alt
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Exhalation must continue until no more air can be exhaled, must
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be at least 6 seconds, and can take up to 15 seconds or more.
Like any test, spirometry results will only be of value if the
-d
expirations are performed satisfactorily and consistently. Both
FVC and FEV1 should be the largest value obtained from any of
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3 technically satisfactory curves and the FVC and FEV1 values in
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these three curves should vary by no more than 5% or 100 ml,
whichever is greater. The FEV1/FVC is calculated using the maxi-
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mum FEV1 and FVC from technically acceptable (not necessarily
the same) curves.
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Those with chest pain or frequent cough may be unable to
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perform a satisfactory test and this should be noted.
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26

28. Wh e r e t o f in d m o r e d e t a i l e d i n f o r m a t i o n o n
s p ir o m e t r y
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1 . A m e r i ca n T h o r a ci c S o ci e t y
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http://www.thoracic.org/adobe/statements/spirometry1-30.pdf
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2. A u s t r a l i a n /N e w Z e a l a n d T h o r a ci c S o ci e t y
http://www.nationalasthma.org.au/publications/spiro/index.htm
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3. B r i t i s h T h o r a ci c S o ci e t y
http://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/copd/consortium.html
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4. GO L D
A spirometry guide for general practitioners and a teaching slide
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set is available:
http://www.goldcopd.org
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29. 28
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NOTES
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30. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
is supported by educational grants from:
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Visit the GOLD website at www.goldcopd.org
www.goldcopd.org/application.asp
Copies of this document are available at www.us-health-network.com
© 2009 Medical Communications Resources, Inc.