TY - JOUR T1 - Characteristics of COPD Patients Managed in Respiratory Medicine Departments in Spain, According to GOLD Groups and GesEPOC Clinical Phenotypes JO - Archivos de Bronconeumología T2 - AU - Izquierdo,José Luis AU - Miravitlles,Marc AU - Esquinas,Cristina AU - Pérez,Maite AU - Calle,Myriam AU - López Campos,José Luis AU - Rodríguez González-Moro,José Miguel AU - Casanova,Ciro AU - Esteban,Cristóbal AU - de Lucas,Pilar SN - 15792129 M3 - 10.1016/j.arbr.2018.09.006 DO - 10.1016/j.arbr.2018.09.006 UR - https://archbronconeumol.org/en-characteristics-copd-patients-managed-in-articulo-S1579212918303161 AB - IntroductionThe objective of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of COPD patients attending general respiratory clinics, adherence to clinical guidelines, classification accuracy, and therapeutic management. MethodMulticenter, cross-sectional study, with the primary objective of describing the number, intensity, and variability of symptoms in COPD patients. Data were collected in 2015 by 300 pulmonologists who evaluated a total of 3010 patients, of which 2669 (88.6%) were eligible for analysis. ResultsA total of 22% were active smokers, notably 21% and 17% of GOLD groups C and D, and 17% and 19% of exacerbators in the GesEPOC classification; 62.3% had associated comorbidities. The diagnostic process was characterized by limited use of tests such as diffusion capacity or lung volumes, even in the more severe GOLD groups or the GesEPOC exacerbator phenotypes. The use of multidimensional scales, such as BODE (12%), and specific rehabilitation protocols was also rare. Treatment was based on different combinations of bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids. Methylxanthines were used in very few patients (7%). ConclusionsA large proportion of COPD patients seen in respiratory clinics have non-complex disease and pulmonology tests are rarely performed. Our study confirms a slight change in treatments and the frequent association with comorbidities that can modify the clinical presentation of the patient. ER -