Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) -- a serious disease that impairs breathing -- is the third leading cause of death in the United States. But an influential government panel says there's as yet no evidence to support screening for COPD in adults with no symptoms.

In a draft recommendation released Monday, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said the panel had reviewed the latest evidence and saw no reason to change its earlier recommendation on COPD screening, issued in 2008.

"The task force found that there is no evidence that screening for COPD in adults without symptoms results in improved health outcomes," member Dr. William Phillips said in a news release from the independent panel of experts. ...