Intensive care medicine

Asthma

Pulmonary rehabilitation

Inhaler

Cardiology

Pulmonary disease

Smoking cessation

Medical prescription

Oxygen therapy

Physical therapy

Pharmacotherapy

Internal medicine

Pharmacology

COPD

Medicine

Pathology

Annals of Internal Medicine

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and progressive airflow obstruction. Tobacco smoking is the leading cause but not the only one. A postbronchodilator FEV1–FVC ratio less than 0.70 is required for a diagnosis of COPD. Inhaler therapy is the backbone of treatment and should be complemented by a multifaceted management strategy that includes counseling and pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation, pulmonary rehabilitation, treatment of comorbidities, administration of influenza and pneumococcal immunizations, and prescription of long-term oxygen therapy in hypoxemic patients.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease