AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Confirm COPD Diagnosis
- Always confirm COPD diagnosis with spirometry, even if the patient has respiratory symptoms and a smoking history.
- About 33% of patients are misdiagnosed with COPD without spirometry.
Bloodwork for COPD
- Check all COPD patients for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency once and for eosinophil levels (when not on steroids).
- Eosinophil counts guide inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use; higher counts suggest an inflammatory phenotype.
Initial COPD Treatment
- Start COPD treatment with a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) for most patients (Groups A, B, and C).
- For Group D (high symptom burden), use LAMA/LABA or LAMA/ICS based on eosinophil levels.