Detect and Manage COPD

COPD is the 4th leading cause of death, and the 2nd leading cause of disability in the U.S.4, 11 And yet, COPD is under-diagnosed and under-treated:12, 13

  • About 24 million U.S. adults have evidence of impaired lung function14
  • 12 million people have been diagnosed with COPD15
  • 5.8 million COPD patients are untreated15
  • The COPD death rate among women is increasing14

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Recognize the COPD pattern:

  • > 40 years of age
  • History of smoking
  • Presenting with symptoms of COPD, including:
    • Chronic cough
    • Sputum production
    • Dyspnea
    • Wheezing3, 4

Identifying COPD early is important because COPD is progressive:4

Arrow graphic illustrating how COPD is a progressive disease: airflow limitation leading to breathing difficulty, leading to exercise intolerance, leading to physical deconditioning, leading to disability

Ask your patients if they smoke (or used to smoke) and assess them for any COPD signs and symptoms.

A clinical diagnosis of COPD is confirmed with spirometry.4

Pack-years = number of packs smoked per day X the number of years smoked.

Following diagnosis
Once you have made a diagnosis of COPD, be sure to assess the patient's activity level and symptoms at every visit.

  • Have you been as active since your last visit?
  • How has shortness of breath affected your activities?
  • Has your shortness of breath worsened, improved, or stayed the same?
  • Have any other symptoms worsened — such as coughing or wheezing?
  • Have you experienced any new symptoms?

Manage COPD with SPIRIVA
The Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) has developed detailed guidelines for the treatment of COPD.

RECOMMENDED THERAPY AT EACH STAGE OF COPD 4 Print this chart
GOLD chart: therapy at each stage of COPD; mild, moderate, severe, and very severe

Important considerations in the diagnosis and treatment of COPD

  • COPD is defined as an FEV1/FVC<0.70
  • Spirometric readings should be conducted following administration of bronchodilator to accurately diagnose and assess COPD severity
  • Short acting bronchodilators are initially given as needed
  • Long acting bronchodilators should be inititated as maintence therapy when airflow limitation worsens and/or symptoms become persistent
  • Long-term oxygen should be added for patients with Stage IV (very severe) COPD
    • - Surgical treatments should also be considered in these patients
    • - Inhaled glucocorticosteriods should be reserved for Stage III or Stage IV patients with repeated exacerbations

Start SPIRIVA first-line for maintenance therapy in COPD patients

  • The only long-acting anticholinergic bronchodilator6, 7
  • Provides superior sustained predose FEV1 improvement in patients with mild COPD5

SPIRIVA is the most prescribed branded COPD medication in the world. 16

SPIRIVA is broadly available to your patients who need it:1

  • Covered under most Medicare Part D plans
  • Broad formulary coverage, and is at the lowest branded co-pay tier with major insurers