Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A narrative synthesis of its hallmarks for palliative care clinicians

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a life-limiting condition and the third leading cause of death worldwide. People with COPD experience physical and psychological symptoms and functional limitations that impair their quality of life. Their caregivers face adverse clinical outcomes due to personal, social, and financial demands. As such, recent emphasis has been placed on early referral to palliative care services to enhance prognostic awareness, clarify goals of care, and manage symptoms. In this narrative synthesis of key aspects of COPD care, we propose practical, evidence-based strategies to integrate palliative care principles with conventional disease-directed treatments throughout the illness trajectory. We emphasize the importance of equipping clinicians caring for people with COPD with a thorough understanding of both the inherent disease complexities and the cornerstones of its multimodal management, including palliative care, to address the unique psychosocial and physical needs of this patient population.