TY - JOUR
T1 - Treatment of COPD exacerbations
T2 - Pharmacologic options and modification of risk factors
AU - Blanchard, Amy R.
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2017 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2002
Y1 - 2002
N2 - Exacerbations of COPD are a major source of morbidity and mortality, resulting in tremendous increases in healthcare costs. Spirometric testing of at-risk persons can help identify patients early in the disease course who may benefit from early intervention to slow the disease process. Avoidance of irritants, smoking cessation, and use of pharmacologic agents aimed at decreasing airflow obstruction are strategies for reducing the frequency and severity of exacerbations. Patients should be educated about modifiable risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, environmental exposures, improper inhaler technique, influenza and pneumonia vaccination, pulmonary rehabilitation, and use of supplemental oxygen. Early, aggressive interventions are necessary to improve quality of life, decrease hospital admissions, improve morbidity and mortality, and reduce overall healthcare costs.
AB - Exacerbations of COPD are a major source of morbidity and mortality, resulting in tremendous increases in healthcare costs. Spirometric testing of at-risk persons can help identify patients early in the disease course who may benefit from early intervention to slow the disease process. Avoidance of irritants, smoking cessation, and use of pharmacologic agents aimed at decreasing airflow obstruction are strategies for reducing the frequency and severity of exacerbations. Patients should be educated about modifiable risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, environmental exposures, improper inhaler technique, influenza and pneumonia vaccination, pulmonary rehabilitation, and use of supplemental oxygen. Early, aggressive interventions are necessary to improve quality of life, decrease hospital admissions, improve morbidity and mortality, and reduce overall healthcare costs.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0036282760&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.3810/pgm.2002.06.1226
DO - 10.3810/pgm.2002.06.1226
M3 - Article
C2 - 12082921
AN - SCOPUS:0036282760
SN - 0032-5481
VL - 111
SP - 65
EP - 75
JO - Postgraduate medicine
JF - Postgraduate medicine
IS - 6
ER -