HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Belfer, M. H. Articles by Reardon, J. Z. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Belfer, M. H. Articles by Reardon, J. Z.

From the Center for Family Medicine at Akron General Medical Center in Ohio (Dr Belfer) and from Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Conn (Ms Reardon).

Address correspondence to Mark H. Belfer, DO, Akron General Medical Center, 400 Wabash Ave, Akron, OH 44307-2433. E-mail: mbelfer{at}agmc.org

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of mortality in the United States. Its symptoms, comorbidities, and sequelae also result in high morbidity and healthcare costs. The impact of progressive dyspnea, fatigue, exercise intolerance, and recurrent exacerbations in patients with COPD can be devastating to their quality of life. Unaddressed, these symptoms often result in depression and social isolation, causing further decline in exercise tolerance and functional performance. Assessing the physiologic, pharmacologic, and psychosocial factors that influence these elements can be challenging in the primary care setting. The present article describes a practical approach to assess functional performance and outlines pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies—particularly self-management education and pulmonary rehabilitation—to improve quality of life indicators.