Abstract
Worsening breathless in a patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common diagnostic and management challenge in primary care. A systematic approach to history-taking and examination combined with targeted investigation of pulmonary, cardiovascular, thromboembolic and systemic causes is essential if co-morbidities are to be identified and managed. Distinguishing between heart failure and COPD is a particular challenge as symptoms and signs overlap. In low and middle income countries additional priorities are the detection of infections such as tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Clinicians need to be alert to the possibility of atypical presentations (such as pain-free variants of angina) and less common conditions (including chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension) in order not to overlook important potentially treatable conditions.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 468-76 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Primary care respiratory journal : journal of the General Practice Airways Group |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2013 |
Keywords
- Albuterol
- Bronchodilator Agents
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Disease Progression
- Dyspnea
- Female
- Heart Failure
- Humans
- Lung Neoplasms
- Middle Aged
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive