Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of COPD: 2003 update

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) programme was initiated in January 1997 to increase awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to decrease morbidity and mortality from this chronic lung disorder. One strategy to help achieve the objectives of the GOLD programme is to provide healthcare workers, healthcare authorities and the general public with state-of-the-art information about COPD and specific recommendations on the most appropriate management and prevention strategies. The GOLD Workshop Report, Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of COPD 1 was published in April 2001. It was prepared by a panel of experts nominated by the…