GOLD and phenotypes: The new Czech COPD guidelines

Background: The Czech Pneumological and Phthisiological Society (CPPS) has prepared new national guidelines. Diagnosis: The essential requirement for the diagnosis of COPD is the presence of a post-bronchodilator expiratory airflow limitation, defined as FEV1/VC u003c LLN. GOLD classification allows us to classify each patient into one of the four well known categories.The most common clinical presentation are bronchitic and/or emphysemateous phenotypes. Next variants of COPD syndrome consist of: frequent exacerbators, COPD and asthma overlap syndrome (ACOS), bronchiectatic COPD and COPD with pulmonary cachexia. A clinically apparent phenotype can be found especially in B and D categories. Therapy: Treatment of COPD patients is generally determined by the disease categories, and the presence of phenotype(s) of the disease, while considering the presence of complications and comorbidities. CPPS treatment recommendations can be divided into four steps. Conclusion: The CPPS aimed to place these guidelines into the context of the healthcare system in the Czech Republic. Emphasis is placed on personalized care, targeting the symptoms and phenotypes of each patient, taking into consideration comorbidities.