GOLD is a committed team of COPD experts and medical associations from more than 100 countries and its members will personally act to bring about the needed change in their home countries. Phases II and III will focus on family physicians and patients. The impact of COPD on a global scale is immense. We believe that the GOLD initiative will further these goals. They also emphasize that good management involves the assessment of both symptoms and lung function, rather than one or the other alone.
Guidelines are often unrealistic and difficult to apply.
COPD is characterised by reduced airflow that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually both progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases. Symptoms range from a cough and sputum production in those 'at risk' to respiratory or heart failure in those with severe disease. World Health Report 2000.