What’s new in COPD management?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) as: €˜a common, preventable and treatable disease that is characterised by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation that is due to airway and/or alveolar abnormalities usually caused by significant exposure to noxious particles or gases.’1 It says that COPD should be considered in any patient who has dyspnoea, chronic cough or sputum production, and/or a history of exposure to risk factors for the disease.1 An estimated 1.2 million people are living with diagnosed COPD in the UK meaning an overall prevalence of 2%.2