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Walker PP. Optimising the management of patients with COPD. Practitioner Mar 2019;263(1824):21-26

Optimising the management of patients with COPD

25 Mar 2019Pais-up subscribers

COPD should be suspected in an older adult (at least 35 years old but typically more than 45 years old) who presents with symptoms such as breathlessness, wheeze, cough and sputum production and has one or more risk factors, typically current, or a past history of, cigarette smoking. A diagnosis should also be suspected when an individual with a risk factor develops a lower respiratory tract infection requiring treatment. COPD is far more common in smokers of heroin and crack cocaine, in whom it occurs at a younger age.

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