Diagnosis and Evidence-based Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations

Target Audience
The primary target audience for this activity are Pulmonology clinicians (MDs/DOs/NPs/PAs) based in the U.S.

Program Overview
Many patients do not receive appropriate and timely treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because of underdiagnoses, diagnostic delays, or misdiagnoses as other respiratory conditions such as asthma. An expert panel of pulmonologists will identify and address important gaps in the differential diagnosis and management of COPD. Our experts will discuss the critical need for spirometry in differential diagnosis and the rationale for triple-combination therapy in people at high risk for exacerbations. Strategies for helping patients make lifestyle changes to reduce risk, including strategies to encourage smoking cessation, will be discussed. In addition, experts will identify promising targeted agents for COPD management in development.

Learning Objectives
After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

Define steps for the differential diagnosis of COPD based on physical examination, history taking, and spirometry results
Discuss the rationale for ICS-containing triple-combination therapy to reduce exacerbations in people with eosinophilic phenotype COPD
Describe strategies to motivate patients in smoking-cessation efforts