ABSTRACT
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major medical problem. It is the only major disease that is rising in prevalence and mortality; all other major causes of death are declining (1). Despite the frequency with which it causes disability and death, the vast majority of patients with COPD have not been diagnosed as such (2). The major etiological risk factor for COPD is smoking; lesser factors are air pollution, occupational exposures, infections, and heredity. The use of these risk factors, clinical symptoms, and the physical examination have been studied as to their utility in diagnosing COPD/airflow limitation (5-21). Early diagnosis of COPD could potentially lead to many medical benefits. Smokers with COPD have a more rapid and progressive deterioration of pulmonary function and are at increased risk for lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke (3,4). We will examine the evidence relating the clinical examination in COPD, correlating it to pulmonary function as defined by spirometry.
