Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Family physicians' role in management.

W the release of new Canadian Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Guidelines, I thought it would be helpful to describe family physicians’ role in offi ce management of this common disease. Th e guidelines can be found in their entirety at http://www.pulsus. com/Respir/10_SA/supp_A_master.pdf. The prevalence of COPD is increasing. It is currently the fifth most common cause of death; by 2020, it will rise to third.1 It is a frequent cause of disability and lost years of productivity. The largest costs incurred in COPD are for hospital admissions a n d e m e r g e n c y care. Family physicians can intervene in this disease to reduce morbidity and effectively manage care.