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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - Management
Basis for recommendation
These recommendations are based on expert opinion in the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline Management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adults in primary and secondary care (partial update) [National Clinical Guideline Centre, 2010; NICE, 2010].
- NICE found no data to guide decisions on how frequently people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be reviewed. NICE indicates that this will vary according to individual circumstances and the severity of the person's disease.
- A subsequent cluster randomized controlled trial found no difference in quality of life or other health outcomes for people with asthma or COPD managed in primary care who had more 3-monthly spirometry and regular medical reviews compared with those who had annual spirometry or usual care [Abramson et al, 2010]. Around a quarter of the people had COPD; the trial may have been underpowered to detect a significant difference in this subgroup.
- Many of the recommendations are derived from statements made in the British Thoracic Society COPD guidelines [British Thoracic Society, 1997].
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