Managing comorbidities in COPD

This article provides an overview of the most common COPD comorbidities and guideline-based treatment approaches. Respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic, mental and other comorbidities (i.e., GERD, OSA, chronic renal failure) are addressed. The authors offer ways in which COPD and comorbidities may be linked (e.g., risk factors, underlying pathogenesis, medications taken for COPD exacerbating other conditions). A short discussion of the considerable cost burden of COPD and its comorbidities is included; healthcare costs for COPD patients with comorbidities are 4.7 times that of those without other conditions. Use of COPD-specific comorbidity indices as part of ongoing risk assessment is suggested by the authors.