Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects around 6% of the UK adult population. Despite many still being undiagnosed, the condition continues to place a high demand on primary care services. With almost 20% of adults in the UK continuing to smoke, a figure that has remained steady for the last 5 years, the burden placed on primary care of consequential diseases such as COPD can also be expected to persist; indeed, it is estimated that COPD will become the world's third leading cause of death by 2020. As COPD is so common, there is continual research and regularly updated recommendations about how it should be treated. Ideally, modern treatment should optimise patient quality of life, as well as reduce infective and non-infective exacerbations that result in hospital admissions. This article looks at the most up-to-date educational, pharmacological and physiological interventions, as well as discussing the role played by other members of the multidisciplinary team and what to consider when reviewing a patient.
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