Volume 1, Number 1, December 2006

Diagnosing Copd: Putting the Jigsaw Together
Mark Levy

Diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be complex and requires considerable clinical skill. It is rather like putting together the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. But don’t despair. In this article, we take you through the key steps. A careful history, particularly in smokers or ex-smokers who complain of breathlessness, followed by clinical examination may indicate possible COPD. Further steps must then be taken to exclude other causes of respiratory symptoms and spirometry is essential in diagnosing airflow obstruction, which may help to confirm the diagnosis of COPD.

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