Scope of the COPD problem in North America - Early studies of prevalence and NHANES III data: Basis for early identification and intervention

COPD is a common disease that is often not diagnosed in the primary-care se tting. This review highlights the findings of studies ranging from the earl y 1960s to the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHAN ES III) study, undertaken to try and accurately estimate the prevalence of COPD in the US population. Results of the NHANES III indicate that COPD rem ains frequently underdiagnosed, and that spirometry should be more widely u sed in the primary-care setting to identify asymptomatic disease. Early int ervention, in particular smoking cessation, could alter the course and outc ome of disease in patients with COPD.