Confirming a diagnosis of COPD
Step 2 of the All-Wales COPD Management and Prescribing Guideline focuses on the performance of post-bronchodilator spirometry to confirm the presence of COPD. Spirometry is still underused when a patient presents with signs and symptoms of COPD. However, the diagnostic accuracy of COPD just based on clinical findings, is around 50%.
In this Tutorial, Natalie explores the confirmation of a diagnosis of COPD.
Confirming a diagnosis of COPD
Step 2 of the All-Wales COPD Management and Prescribing Guideline focuses on the performance of post-bronchodilator spirometry to confirm the presence of COPD. Spirometry is still underused when a patient presents with signs and symptoms of COPD. However, the diagnostic accuracy of COPD just based on clinical findings, is around 50%.
In this Tutorial, Natalie explores the confirmation of a diagnosis of COPD.
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All-Wales COPD Management and Prescribing Guideline
The National primary care COPD audit for Wales highlighted one in four patients do not have a record of post-bronchodilator spirometry consistent with the diagnosis of COPD. Furthermore, too few COPD patients undertake the greatest value non-pharmacological interventions and too many are instead put on triple therapy inappropriately. Endorsed by the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) and the Respiratory Health Implementation Group (RHIG), the All-Wales COPD Management and Prescribing guideline standardises management of patients with COPD.
