Update: Management of Comorbidities in COPD

Posted on: 21 Jan 2019
 

Module summary

This case-based module will guide you through the latest evidence in managing comorbidities in COPD.

Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease that requires a holistic, patient-centred approach to management. Multiple morbidities commonly coexist in COPD patients; nearly half of patients have three or more diagnoses in addition to COPD. A holistic approach enables primary care professionals to address both patients’ diverse long-term conditions and their psychosocial needs.

There are times when a COPD patient may need specialist attention; however, the primary care team provides continuity of care, ensuring the patient’s needs remain the central focus.

The Primary Care Respiratory Society has produced a guide named ‘Diagnosis and Management of COPD in Primary Care’. This guide contains a chapter that illustrates the holistic approach to care for COPD patients.

The Royal College of Physicians also produced a report to sum up the findings of the national COPD audit. This report describes improvement opportunities for clinicians and system managers, including several around management of comorbidities. The findings were discussed in a webinar here on the PCRA website.

Learning objectives

• Know the clinical consequences of common comorbidities in COPD.
• Be confident in managing these comorbidities and their complications.
• Recognise when to refer patients for specialist care.

Author details

This module was developed by Dr Helen Ward, the lead clinician for integrated respiratory disease care in the acute trust at Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust.

 

List of abbreviations
ACE	Angiotensin-converting enzyme	DEXA	Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
AF	Atrial fibrillation	ECG	Electrocardiogram
BMD	Bone mineral density	FEV1	Forced expiratory volume in 1  second
BMI	Body mass index	FVC	Forced vital capacity
BNP	Brain (B-type) natriuretic peptide	GOLD	Global Initiative for Chronic Lung Disease
CAST	Chinese Acute Stroke Trial	NICE	National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
COPD	Chronic obstructive pulmonary  disease	NT  proBNP	N-terminal-proBNP
CVD	Cardiovascular disease	TTE	Transthoracic echocardiogram