Basic interventions for COPD

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Basic interventions for COPD

Smoking cessation
Cigarette smoking is the main cause of COPD, and smoking cessation is the only intervention that has been shown to improve the natural history of COPD (see Figure 9.5 for a graphical representation of the natural history of airflow obstruction in relation to cessation of smoking). It is vital that all patients with COPD stop smoking. For information on smoking cessation, see Assessment and treatment of smoking.

Immunisation
Patients with COPD should receive an influenza vaccine every year, which ideally should be given before the influenza season begins. Pneumococcal vaccine should be provided three times, at 5-year intervals. The recommendations for revaccination with 23valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine have recently changed: adults under 65 years with a chronic medical condition or who are smokers should receive 2 revaccinations: the first at 5 years and the second either 5 years after the first revaccination or at 65 years of age, whichever is later. Pneumococcal vaccine and influenza vaccine can be administered at the same time. [Note 1]
Note 1: For further information on immunisation and individual vaccines, see National Health and Medical Research Council. The Australian immunisation handbook. 9th ed. Canberra: NHMRC; 2008. [URL]

Related topics: Pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with COPD Drug treatment of stable COPD Other management of COPD Multidisciplinary management of COPD Self-management plan (COPD action plan) Follow-up of patients with COPD Palliative care in advanced COPD COPD: further reading

Key references for this topic Topic Key references for this chapter Other resources: Australian Prescriber Clinical Evidence (subscription required) Cochrane reviews NPS News

Revised October 2009. Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd (etg36, March 2012)

https://online-tg-org-au.cknservices.dotsec.com/ip/tgc/rsg/2625.htm

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