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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - Management
Clinical features differentiating COPD and asthma
Table 1. Clinical features differentiating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
Clinical features | COPD | Asthma |
|---|
Smoker or ex-smoker | Nearly all | Possibly |
Age < 35 years | Rare | Often |
Chronic productive cough | Common | Uncommon |
Breathlessness | Persistent and productive | Variable |
Night-time waking with breathlessness or wheeze | Uncommon | Common |
Significant diurnal or day-to-day variation in symptoms | Uncommon | Common |
|
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