Review
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World J Respirol. Nov 28, 2013; 3(3): 57-66
Published online Nov 28, 2013. doi: 10.5320/wjr.v3.i3.57
Early chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Beyond spirometry
Judith A Brebner, Alice M Turner
Judith A Brebner, The ADAPT Project, Lung Function and Sleep Department, University Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B152WB, United Kingdom
Alice M Turner, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Research Laboratories, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B152WB, United Kingdom
Author contributions: Brebner JA conducted literature searches; Brebner JA and Turner AM contributed to writing the article.
Supported by An Unrestricted Research Grant by Grifols Biotherapeutics to Brebner JA; Research Grants from the National Institute of Health Research (UK), MRC, Alpha 1 Foundation, Linde Real Fund, Hospital Infection Society (UK) and by a contract for research services to Mologic to Turner AM; Educational talks or advisory boards from Boehringer, GSK, Novartis and Almirall totalling less than $5000 per company over the last 5 years to Turner AM
Correspondence to: Alice M Turner, Clinician Scientist and Honorary Consultant Physician, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Research Laboratories, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Birmingham B152WB, United Kingdom. a.m.wood@bham.ac.uk
Telephone: +44-121- 3713886 Fax: +44-121-3713887
Received: June 20, 2013
Revised: July 24, 2013
Accepted: August 16, 2013
Published online: November 28, 2013
Processing time: 165 Days and 18.7 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: In this review article we outline the difficulties in diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in its early stages and examine the role of case-finding initiatives. In addition we explore the evidence for early intervention with therapeutic agents and consider the impact of phenotyping in early disease, highlighting the potential benefits to a more individualized approach to COPD management.