Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Practice ABC of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Pharmacological management—inhaled treatment

BMJ 2006; 332 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.332.7555.1439 (Published 15 June 2006) Cite this as: BMJ 2006;332:1439

Rapid Response:

Figure showing TLC

Figure showing total lung capacity and tidal volume is misleading
(for me) for
one aspect.
TLC height is changing in the last three bars (patients with COPD) and it
occurs
during exercise and/or after drug. To my knowledge TLC is a stable value
and
it is not modified by exercise and/or drug.
Figures are important communication tool and they must not be misleading

Competing interests:
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

16 June 2006
Stefano De Luca
Chest Physician
Ospedali Riuniti, 60020 Ancona, Italy
SOD Pneumologia