Oordeel en houding van de huisarts bij chronisch obstructieve longziekte (COPD)

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) carries a heavy burden for health care. The general practitioner is particularly well placed for an early diagnosis and treatment of this mainly smoking-related disorder. In order to assess their perception of COPD and the diagnostic and therapeutic means utilised, a written questionnaire containing open questions was addressed to a representative sample of 425 Belgian general practitioners. The results of this questionnaire reveal that, general practitioners usually recognise the importance of an early diagnosis of COPD and of smoking as its main risk factor. However, the diagnosis is mainly based on symptoms and clinical signs, but not so much on a systematic use of spirometry, even though the latter is usually recommended by national and international guidelines. As a result of his poor use of spirometry, the staging of the severity of COPD, on which a treatment should be based, is insufficiently known. The implementation of the GOLD (Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) guidelines, in particular the use of spirometry, and the correct positioning of the various treatment modalities, should enable general practitioners to fulfill their essential role in the fight against COPD.