Defining COPD: from simplistic approach to multilateral assessment of COPD

My article Defining COPD: from simplistic approach to multilateral assessment of COPD is appearing online today in Spinger Journal -  Current Respiratory Care Reports. Current Respiratory Care Reports provides clear expert reviews of the most important original papers recently published in the field of respiratory care.  

A source for current research, diagnostic and management techniques for patients with respiratory-related disorders

• Offers expert reviews of important recent research papers in the field of respiratory care
• Provides supplementary reviews, featuring recent clinical trials
• Presents commentaries from well-known figures in the field.

Defining COPD: from simplistic approach to multilateral assessment of COPD

Abstract  of my article:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multisystemic pathology, which cannot be characterized, diagnosed or assessed only by the severity of airflow limitation. Thus, it appears there is urgent unmet need of new approach in COPD. In this article we review the most recent multidimensional classification of COPD, based on analysis of functional and physiologic parameters, health status, and risk of exacerbations. A, B, C, D system will permit a more accurate risk stratification of patients. In addition, new trends are presented in assessment of COPD: from phenotypes, multidimensional indices, scale-free networks and diseasome to radical concept of P4 medicine (Personalized, Predictive, Preventive, and Participatory elements).  

Keywords   

COPD – Comorbidity – Exacerbation – CAT – Systemic effects – Assessment – GOLD classification – Severity – Phenotypes – Scale-free networks – Diseasome

2012 International Guidelines on Rhinitis, Asthma and COPD: Italian Update of Global Initiatives ARIA, GINA and GOLD

These days in Modena, Italy (28 February-2 March 2012) is taking place Congress 2012 International Guidelines on Rhinitis, Asthma and COPD Global Initiatives ARIA, GINA and GOLD.

I invite you to see free online and directly all presentations from this important Respiratory event. Speakers are world known leaders of opinion in Respiratory Medicine from Italy and from all over the world.

Today is day dedicated to Asthma and will be many interesting presentations: 

IgE, anti-IgE and remodelling in allergic asthma by Professor Klaus F. Rabe, President of European Respiratory Society;

Novel therapies for asthma and COPD by Professor Leonardo M. Fabbri

Viral infections and asthma by Professor Alberto Papi.

Please watch live translation HERE

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Patients for patients: Your role in RESPIRATORY healthcare

Dear Respiratory Friends,

Today we are presenting new exiting RESPIRATORY Competition by Lovexair Foundation from Spain!!!
Its great opportunity for respiratory patients and doctors to enhance the role and impact of new ways and methods of education that will help to chronic respiratory patients from all over the world to be more active and healthy!

The prize: 500 Euros for the winning entry in this competition
How can you win?
Build an educational module for patients with chronic respiratory disease.

 “Patients for patients: Your role in respiratory healthcare” competition helps to share valuable ideas, knowledge and experience mainly from patients with chronic respiratory disease and healthcare specialists in order to create an advanced educational concept that can be used at global level, at low cost.
If you want to participate in this creative and educational programme that builds a permanent support system for patients using their feedback and win 500 Euros for your group or for your organisation:
Create your own educational module that includes content and methods on how best to teach patients or care-givers about managing their illness, their daily-life, or anything that improves their quality of life.

For further information, click here: in  English or in Spanish

Good Respiratory Luck to everybody!!!

World COPD Day 2011 in Moldova

Dear RESPIRATORY friends,

We discussed about  World COPD Day 2011 for many times, but now we want to tell you what we realized at the local level!

In November 2011 we organized more than 25 conferences (in the capital of Moldova - Chisinau and all big cities) dedicated to World COPD Day 2011 for family doctors and specialists in respiratory medicine, with presentation about Update of GOLD 2011 by Doctor Alexandru CORLATEANU, GOLD National Leader and ERS National Delegate for Moldova and Doctor Moscovciuc Ana about Local COPD guidelines.  

Also this year we tried to continue our media campaign in social media and blogs! We want to thank you for your support!!!

"Are you short of breath? You may have COPD! Ask your doctor about a simple breathing test called spirometry."

In Republic of Moldova  World COPD Day 2011 was celebrated for the first time! For us it is great result and we will continue to work hard for increasing of awareness to chronic respiratory diseases in the world!

Are you short of breath? You may have COPD!

World COPD Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) to improve awareness and care of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) around the world. World COPD Day 2011 will take place on November 16 around the theme:

"Are you short of breath? You may have COPD! Ask your doctor about a simple breathing test called spirometry."

World COPD Day is a very important event which will take place around the world. Respiratory Societies, NGOs, doctors, patients are uniting all their efforts to demonstrate impact of COPD on every person in the world and together stop the progressive increasing of this important disease.

World COPD Day will be celebrated in many countries:

World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day: 16 November 2011

World COPD Day is a global effort to expand understanding of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - COPD and advocate for better care for patients. In 2004, 64 million people had the illness and WHO predicts that COPD will become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030.

Organized by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), the Day is marked by activities implemented by health care professionals and patient groups throughout the world.

Respiratory Decade active participate every year in organization and promotion of World COPD Day!

If you are blogger we invite you to share your posts about COPD and World COPD Day in your country!!! Upload it HERE!

LET’S WORK TOGETHER…TO IMPROVE CARE FOR YOUR COPD PATIENTs!

Preliminary results of the COPD Audit will be launched following sessions during the ERS Annual Congress (24-28 September 2011 - Amsterdam):
Sunday 25 Sept. 10:45-12:45 - Room Emerald: 

Diagnosis of COPD exacerbations on hospital admission
Sunday 25 Sept. 13:00-14:30 - Room 4.1: 

Optimizing healthcare for COPD across Europe
Wednesday 28 Sept. 10:45-12:45 - Room Forum: 

Provision of non-pharmacological treatment options for COPD patients in 13 European countries

Moreover you can discuss COPD care and auditing face-to-face with the COPD Audit Steering Board during the 'Meet the Experts' session, Monday 26 Sept. 13:00-14:00 - ERS stand A.01
For more information and pre-ordering the official COPD Audit report, please visit the ERS stand A.01

2011 UPDATE of Guidelines on Diagnosis and Management of Stable COPD

Dear Respiratory Friends,

Yesterday in Annals of Internal Medicine was published update of A Clinical Practice Guideline on Diagnosis and Management of Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

 

This guideline is an official statement of the American College of Physicians (ACP), American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), American Thoracic Society (ATS), and European Respiratory Society (ERS). It represents an update of the 2007 ACP clinical practice guideline on diagnosis and management of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is intended for clinicians who manage patients with COPD. This guideline addresses the value of history and physical examination for predicting airflow obstruction; the value of spirometry for screening or diagnosis of COPD; and COPD management strategies, specifically evaluation of various inhaled therapies (anticholinergics, long-acting β-agonists, and corticosteroids), pulmonary rehabilitation programs, and supplemental oxygen therapy.

You can access free of charge this Guidelines:

• Guidelines for health care professionals
• Summary for patients.