TY - JOUR T1 - <span class="underline">C</span>hronic <span class="underline">o</span>bstructive <span class="underline">p</span>ulmonary <span class="underline">d</span>isease: How good is GOLD on its own?! JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 42 IS - Suppl 57 SP - P819 AU - Mehdi Rajabi AU - Mina Sharbafi AU - Hamid Moezzi AU - Mohammed Shamssian Y1 - 2013/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P819.abstract N2 - Introduction: COPD the fifth cause of death in the world, lungs are irreversibly damaged and the airways constantly narrowed. Based on the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), pathological changes in respiratory system happens due to exposure to smoke. Although GOLD guideline is used to manage COPD but no comparative studies investigated the quality of life (QOL) in those who for whatever reason are not following these specific guidelines bearing in mind the other factors such as smoking.Aims and objectives: To investigate and compares the Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) and QOL consequences of random therapy against GOLD therapy.Methods: 86, COPD patients were divided in to two groups; group A were treated by GOLD guideline, group B who will not follow the guideline fully due to costs and compliance. Detailed Drug/medical history and ST George’s questionnaire was completed. PFT was measured and all patients were followed for a period of 12 month.Results: 42, in A and 44 patients were in B. The median age was 65(M/F 4:1). The PFT was best improved in mild to severe patients in group A. In contrast, patients in the other arm had detritions in their PFT. The QOL in group A was improved roughly by 48% in all patients. The QOL and number of exacerbations in group B was varied and mostly based on compliance, air pollution and climate.View this table:Example of some assessments in both groupsConclusions: Following the GOLD guideline in the mild to severe patients (A) had the best results. In group B improvements were depending on the level of compliance and accompanied by smoking cessation. ER -