Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States preceded only by heart disease, cancer and stroke. In 2004 an estimated 11.4 million Americans were estimated to have COPD with the cost to the nation at $37.2 billion. Acute exacerbations contribute significantly to the overall costs of treating COPD and affect long term disease progression. For these reasons it is critical to prevent and aggressively treat acute exacerbations. A substantial increase in the number of patients with COPD is expected over the next twenty years due to increase in tobacco use worldwide and the changing age structure of populations. This increase in patient population will not only affect the health care system, but also the families and communities that care for these patients.
This program will provide an overview of COPD and the natural course of disease progression. Particular emphasis will be placed on managing and preventing COPD acute exacerbations because of the significant impact they have on morbidity and mortality. Therapeutic approaches to the treatment of acute exacerbations will be presented with an emphasis on opportunities, challenges, and future research. The importance of the health care team across the continuum of care and their role in the management of COPD will be discussed with a focus on the need to educate patients on COPD, the devices available, and self-management considerations. Case study discussions will be used to illustrate how to implement strategies for managing and preventing acute exacerbations in COPD.