Procedure
Eleven practice nurses working in ten participating general practices asked eligible COPD patients who visited them during consulting-hours if they would be willing to participate in the study. Eligible patients who expressed willingness to participate received a standardised letter explaining the aims of the study, particularly that the study would investigate the impact of COPD in daily life. After giving written informed consent, the participating patients completed the questionnaires at home and then returned them in a stamped addressed envelope to our centre.