Conclusions

In addition to the major findings outlined in the overview, there are several general conclusions that can be drawn from the survey findings:

• COPD is a debilitating disease. Shortness of breath and other symptoms took a tremendous toll on the patients interviewed.

• There was a significant gap between the level of disease control that patients reported and more objective indicators of the impact and severity of their condition. This disparity may reflect patients' underestimation of the degree to which COPD can be managed and therefore a troublesome tendency to accept their condition as the best that can be expected.

• Doctors and patients agreed there is a need for better education about ways to manage the disease. Patients should talk to their healthcare providers about simple treatment options to improve lung function.