Primary Care Respiratory Society UK (PCRS-UK)

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COPD Resources Primary Care Respiratory Society UK

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Diagnosis

Consider a COPD diagnosis in any patient over 35 who is a smoker or ex-smoker with:
  • Breathlessness on exertion
  • Chronic cough
  • Regular sputum production
  • Frequent chest infections or bouts of ‘winter bronchitis’
  • Wheeze
  • Severe asthma with limited reversibility
Supporting Information:
COPD is underdiagnosed and estimates suggest that the true prevalence is four times the national figure. Patients presenting with COPD symptoms may be misdiagnosed with asthma, heart disease or simply attributed to getting older or less fit.

COPD could be identified opportunistically by testing symptomatic smokers, or via practice computer searches.
This series of resources has been produced as a service to primary care by the Primary Care Respiratory Society UK (PCRS-UK) and has been supported by an educational grant from Allen & Hanburys, AstraZeneca UK Ltd and Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd/Pfizer Ltd. The views expressed in the materials are not necessarily those of either the sponsors or the Primary Care Respiratory Society UK (PCRS-UK). © PCRS-UK
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PCRS-UK: formerly the General Practice Airways Group (GPIAG)


Page updated on 25 October 2011 19:56

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