Gold vs GesEPOC: Are they different?

In 2011 the GOLD guideline modified the classification of COPD and the approach, incorporating FEV1, number of exacerbations in the past year and patient’s symptoms. In 2012 arrived GesEPOC (new Spanish COPD guideline), which categorizes phenotypes. This has carried confusion on part of professional working in Primary Health Care (PHC) because doctors do not know which guideline should implement. Aims 1 To assess the possibility of applying COPD guidelines in PHC. 2 To assess if there are differences implementing the baseline treatment between the two guidelines. Methods Patients with COPD diagnostic with a spirometry registered in the last 24 month, from a PHC centre in Barcelona city, was recruited. Patients included signed informed consent so we could review their clinic history. Results We included in the study 64 patients. The mean age was 73 (SD 9,2), 87,5% were men, 22% were smokers. The average FEV1post was 60,5 %(SD 19.1%). About 41% had 2 or more exacerbations in the last year (mean 1,5). The average time for GOLD applications was 6 minutes (SD 2,36) and 10 minutes GesEPOC (SD 3,16) p Conclusions We consider both guides feasible to implement at PHC consultations, because there is not much time needed to use them. For a single patient, treatment and severity varies depending on which guide we use.