Message from the Chairs

Welcome to the Canadian Thoracic Society's COPD Guidelines website. This site was developed as part of an ongoing initiative by the COPD Guidelines Committee to raise awareness of the CTS COPD Guidelines and its key messages within the health community. It is one of many tools that we are implementing in order to facilitate accessibility of the Canadian Thoracic Society's recommendations for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Over 750,000 Canadians suffer from COPD, and the number is rising. The burden on individuals with COPD, their families and our health care system is enormous. Recognizing the need for improved care of this disease, the Canadian Thoracic Society formed an Ad Hoc Committee in 2001 to develop the guidelines in order to optimize prevention, early diagnosis, and management of COPD in Canada.

The main goals of the COPD Guidelines Committee are:

1. To develop evidence based guidelines for optimal management of COPD
2. To provide recommendations based on expert consensus where evidence is lacking.
3. To identify areas that are in need of further research in order to enhance future management of COPD

The COPD Guidelines provide practical guidance to family physicians, specialists, and other health care professionals involved in COPD management as well as patients with COPD and their families.

The COPD Guidelines and this web site are intended to be dynamic resources that will be regularly updated. Your feedback is a welcome and important part of the evolution and advancement of the CTS recommendations for the management of COPD.

Sincerely,