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Screening for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

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Main Page Risk Factors Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Screening Reducing Your Risk Talking to Your Doctor Living With COPD Resource Guide

The purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment.

Screening Guidelines

Organizations such as the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), American College of Physicians, American College of Chest Physicians, American Thoracic Society, and European Respiratory Society do not recommend screening in people without any symptoms.

However, if someone is having symptoms of COPD, the doctor will use tests such as spirometry to check to see if they have COPD.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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References

  • About COPD. American Lung Association website. Available at: http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/copd/about-copd. Accessed March 29, 2013.

  • Calonge N, Petitti DB, DeWitt TG, et al. Screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using spirometry: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med. 2008;148(7):529-534.

  • COPD. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated March 5, 2013. Accessed March 29, 2013.

  • Explore COPD National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/copd. Updated June 8, 2012. Accessed March 29, 2013.

  • Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Available at: http://www.goldcopd.org/uploads/users/files/GOLD%5FReport%5F2013%5FFeb20.pdf. Updated February 20, 2013. Accessed March 29, 2013.

  • Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, et al; Diagnosis and management of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a clinical practice guideline update from the American College of Physicians, American College of Chest Physicians, American Thoracic Society, and European Respiratory Society. Ann Intern Med. 2011;155(3):179-191.

  • What you can do about a lung disease called COPD. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease website. Available at: http://www.goldcopd.org/uploads/users/files/GOLD%5FPatient%5FRevJan10.pdf. Accessed March 29, 2013.

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