GOLD releases new COPD standards

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) has released new standards for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Among the new recommendations is guidance for managing exacerbations, including the use of antibiotics. The executive summary of the GOLD report will be published in the second September 2007 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. An electronic version is available on-line at