Differential diagnosis of chronic airflow obstruction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a syndrome including illnesses suc h as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Although these diseases sha re a common obstructive component, their optimal treatment and prognosis di ffer. This article examines the salient features of the history, physical e xam, pulmonary function tests, and radiological evaluation which may allow the clinician to differentiate the various diseases that make up COPD; thus allowing the clinician to better target the multiple therapeutic modalitie s available.