European journal of internal medicine
-
Eur. J. Intern. Med. · Jan 2025
ReviewChronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A narrative synthesis of its hallmarks for palliative care clinicians.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a life-limiting condition and the third leading cause of death worldwide. People with COPD experience physical and psychological symptoms and functional limitations that impair their quality of life. ⋯ In this narrative synthesis of key aspects of COPD care, we propose practical, evidence-based strategies to integrate palliative care principles with conventional disease-directed treatments throughout the illness trajectory. We emphasize the importance of equipping clinicians caring for people with COPD with a thorough understanding of both the inherent disease complexities and the cornerstones of its multimodal management, including palliative care, to address the unique psychosocial and physical needs of this patient population.