ABSTRACT
In the examination, look not only for the typical signs of severe chronic airflow obstruction (pursed lip breathing, barrel chest) but also for the other signs that may indicate another disease (or comorbidity) such as ischaemic heart disease with atrial fibrillation and congestive cardiac failure. There may be no abnormal physical signs in patients with asthma/COPD as the signs generally become present when the disease is more advanced.
INVESTIGATIONS
