Affecting 210 million people globally, of which 60 million with mild to severe disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) represents an important public health challenge: it is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality worldwide.
In hospital emergency services, care of COPD patients accounts for 2% of all patients attended, with 40% of such patients needing hospital admission. It is estimated that COPD patients present with a mean of 1 to 4 exacerbations annually, and that one out of six episodes will culminate in hospital admission. In the European Union, the disease related cost represent about 3% of the total healthcare budget.
Critical actions
COPD diagnosis;
Pharmacological therapeutic plan definition, according to individualized assessment of patient’s symptoms and exacerbation risk.
Phases
1st Medical consultation
Follow-up consultation
Treatment
Follow-up
Referral
Patient education
Emergency
Inpatient
References
Golden Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Golden Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (2021 Report). 2021.