Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This book brings a new approach to the subject of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, highlighting the current areas of controversy and debate. It addresses many of the key issues surrounding the diseases, its causes, clinical assessment and management. Internationally renowned experts critically appraise the literature and combine this with their own clinical and research experience to present an informed view of a wide range of issues. Arguments are therefore supported by the most recently available evidence. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – Critical Debates provides the reader with an up-to-date interpretation of the clinical trial data in this field and their relevance to daily practice.

1. The aetiology and epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. John Corless. 2. Why do only a few smokers develop COPD?. Nikos Siafakas, Eleni Tzortzaki, Demosthenes Bouros. 3. How should COPD be diagnosed?. Mike Pearson. 4. Is it possible for spirometry to become a universal measurement?. David Bellamy. 5. Assessment of disability: What test, or combination of tests, should be used?. Denis O'Donnell, Michael Fitzpatrick. 6. Do older patients with COPD need a different approach?. Martin Connolly. 7. Do COPD patients develop particular problems in sleep?. Walter McNicholas. 8. Is it possible to help people stop smoking?. James Friend. 9. Bronchodilators in stable COPD - which one when?. Ronan O'Driscoll. 10. Inhaled steroids: Do they still have a role?. Jørgen Vestbo. 11. What are the future treatments for COPD?. Peter Barnes. 12. What is the role of rehabilitation in COPD?. Peter Wijkstra, Nick Ten Hacken, Johan Wempe, Gerard Koeter. 13. Oxygen therapy - is it possible to prescribe rationally and objectively?. Louise Restrick. 14. Chronic obstructive lung disease: what is the role of surgery?. Thomas Waddell, Roger Goldstein. 15. What is an acute exacerbation of COPD?. Wisia Wedzicha. 16. Which patients with acute COPD exacerbation should receive ventilatory support?. Mrinal Sircar, Mark Elliott. 17. What constitutes success in COPD management?. Wisia Wedzicha, Mike Pearson