Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is characterised by a reduction in airflow that is not reversible and is usually progressive in the long term.

In many cases it is preventable and can be effectively managed.

Greater than 85% of cases are caused by smoking. Other risk factors include air pollution, long-term cannabis smoking, occupational exposure (e.g. cadmium, silica, asbestos, dust), genetic predisposition (e.g. alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency).

Objectives of this course:

• to identify those patients in whom a clinical diagnosis of COPD should be considered
• to understand the initial investigations in a patient suspected of having COPD
• to describe the pharmacologic management of a patient with COPD
• to understand the steps in managing a patient with an acute exacerbation of COPD
• to understand the non-pharmacological strategies that are useful in managing patients with COPD
• to recognise an infective exacerbation of COPD

Acknowledgements

This content was created by Dr Karen Falloon MBChB, FRNZCGP, PhD. Senior Lecturer Goodfellow Unit, and updated by Connie Kang BPharm(Hons) in 2023.