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 Printable version |
Role of community pharmacists in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management (COPD) |
Journal de Pharmacie Clinique. Volume 31, Number 1, 51-60, Mars 2012, Synthèse
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 Résumé
Texte intégral
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Author(s) : Roger Escamilla, Bruno Julia |
Summary : COPD is defined by airways obstruction\; it is a disease with both pulmonary and systemic inflammation with major comorbidities. COPD is the consequence of tobacco smoking. In France, the prevalence of COPD, which remains underdiagnosed, is estimated at 5-10% among adults aged 45 years and older. Dyspnea is the key symptom of the disease, leading to exercise intolerance, alteration of the quality of life and finally to chronic respiratory insufficiency. Acute exacerbations may occur even at early stages of the disease and worsen the natural course of COPD. COPD management is based on the severity of the airflow obstruction evaluated by the FEV 1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second). Smoking cessation is the first step of treatment. Patients at all stages of the disease benefit from rehabilitation and education program. Community pharmacists should be involved in smoking cessation program and COPD detection among tobacco smokers\; the pharmacist can also identify drugs related problems and non adherence to inhaled therapy and therefore, participate to patients education. |
Keywords : COPD, inflammation, pharmacist, detection, education |
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