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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - Management
Basis for recommendation
- In its clinical guideline on the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) does not give an explicit definition of end-stage COPD [National Clinical Guideline Centre, 2010; NICE, 2010]. The definition of end-stage COPD given here is based on:
- Expert opinion from review articles in relation to severity of airflow obstruction and probable life expectancy of less than 6–12 months [Barnett, 2008; Halpin et al, 2008]
- NICE recommendations that palliative drug treatments should be offered when the person is unresponsive to usual medical treatments.
- The 'surprise' question is recommended in Prognostic Indicator Guidance from the Gold Standards Framework and the Royal College of General Practitioners [RCGP, 2008].
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