Clinical Practice Guideline: COPD

The American College of Physicians has published a clinical practice guideline on the diagnosis and management of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The guideline recommends (strongly):

• Spirometry to diagnose airflow obstruction for patients with respiratory symptoms, particularly dyspnea, but not for asymptomatic people.

• Treatment for people with respiratory symptoms and FEV₁ <60% predicted. Treatment should be monotherapy with a long-acting β-agonist, long-acting inhaled anticholinergic, or inhaled corticosteroid.

• Oxygen therapy for resting hypoxemia (Pa0₂ <55 mm Hg).

Weak recommendations include:

• Consideration of a combination of inhaled therapies for those with symptoms and FEV₁ <60%.

• Consideration of pulmonary rehabilitation for pe…