Diagnosis of COPD in hospitalised patients.

Objective: To examine the quality of COPD diagnosis in hospitalised patients.

Material And Methods: Retrospective multicentre cross-sectional audit review of the clinical histories of patients discharged with a diagnosis of COPD. The diagnosis of COPD was considered correct (DxC) in cases where the combination of a bronchial obstruction (FEV1/FVC<70%) and smoking (>10 packets/year) could be documented.