Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Personalized Interpretation of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) – ABCD Recommendations
Dave Singh 1, Arjun Ravi 2
1 University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; 2 The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health and Science Centre, NIHR Centre for Respiratory and Allergy, University Hospital of South Manchester Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
*Correspondence: Arjun Ravi, Email not available
Abstract
The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) advocates a combined assessment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using lung function, symptoms, and exacerbation history to categorise patients into group A, B, C, or D. The aims of treatment are to reduce symptoms and prevent future risk, with the choice of treatment tailored according to the category. GOLD promotes an individualised approach to treatment. This review appraises the strengths and potential weaknesses of the current GOLD recommendations for combined assessment and pharmacological treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There have been a number of recent publications applying the GOLD classification system to different chronic obstructive pulmonary disease populations. What can be learnt from these papers is reviewed, as well as the evidence base for the GOLD recommendations for pharmacological therapy.
