Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine
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Standard for the diagnosis and care of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was published from Japanese Respiratory Society in 1999. In this guideline the definition, epidemiology, risk factors, pathology, methods of diagnosis, methods of therapy and care were fully described. Especially, in this guideline, we used the thin slice CT for the diagnosis and classification of disease severity. After the publication, this guidelines were distributed to all of the JRS members(about 10,000 doctors).
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Clinical stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) have been described in the guideline by American Thoracic Society(ATS), European Respiratory Society(ERS), and Japanese Respiratory Society. Recently, the clinical stage in GOLD(Global Initiative Obstructive Lung Disease) was also published in the guideline as an international standard. Although severity or clinical stages of COPD in ATS, ERS, and JRS guidelines is determined by only % predicted FEV1.0/FVC(%FEV1.0), GOLD guideline added clinical symptoms to %FEV1.0 for determining clinical stages of COPD. ⋯ Prognosis of COPD patients shows a clear decline in proportion to that of %FEV1.0. However, pulmonary circulation disorder also affects the prognosis of COPD. Pulmonary hypertension is often found in severe COPD.
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Substantial variation among countries has been reported regarding mortality data for COPD in industrialized countries. Differences in COPD death rates among countries have attracted considerable attention, with multiple suggested hypothesis, including smoking behaviors, air pollution, respiratory infections and genetic factors. ⋯ No comparable data regarding the COPD epidemiology such as Nippon COPD Epidemiology(NICE) study, has been available in other countries than Japan. NICE study indicated that most of COPD cases(90%) are undiagnosed, and a significant attention will be required to raise awareness of COPD.
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We have to consider the exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) may be caused not only by infection, but also by acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax, or other cardiopulmonary complications. Because it is characteristic that the exacerbation of COPD is often recurensive, the most important thing is the administration during stable status. ⋯ Also, approximately 15% is exacerbated by atypical pathogens such as Chlamydia pneumoniae and approximately 30% is by viral infection. We should contemplate the possibility of pathogens according to the statistics, when we choose antibiotics empirically.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. It currently fourth leading cause of death in world wide and importance for end of life care for end-stage patients with COPD is increasing. Patients with COPD experience acute exacerbation once disease progressed. ⋯ However, these patients with COPD are more treated with life sustained interventions, palliation for these symptoms are not sufficients. In caring patients with severe COPD, consideration should be given to implementing palliative treatments more aggressively. In order to improve end of life care for patients with advanced COPD, it is also important to establish local support system for caring these patients.