Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Respiratory medicine
Managing severe COPD: much can be done
Recent articles on:
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Recent articles on:
Breathing problems
Breathing problems
Abstract
Severe COPD may be challenging to manage as patients often experience debilitating symptoms that fail to respond completely to disease-specific treatment. Clear communication about the goals of care combined with management of symptoms and comorbidities should enable patients to enjoy a better quality of life.
Key Points
- Management of patients with severe COPD is challenging, but with a combination of therapeutic approaches much can be achieved.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation may improve symptoms and quality of life and reduce exacerbations in patients at all stages of disease severity.
- Detecting and managing comorbidities, including cardiac disease, osteoporosis, anxiety and depression, are important in improving patient outcomes.
- Oxygen therapy improves prognosis in patients with chronic hypoxaemia.
- Noninvasive ventilation is useful in managing acute hypercapnic exacerbations of COPD.
- Clear communication focusing on likely disease trajectory, prognosis, goals of care and advance care planning is essential.
- Patients with very severe COPD may require palliative care, ideally provided by their usual care providers, but some patients require specialist palliative care referral.
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