RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Definition, epidemiology and natural history of COPD
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 993
OP 1013
DO 10.1183/09031936.00082507
VO 30
IS 5
A1 G. Viegi
A1 F. Pistelli
A1 D. L. Sherrill
A1 S. Maio
A1 S. Baldacci
A1 L. Carrozzi
YR 2007
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/30/5/993.abstract
AB Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fifth cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world and represents a substantial economic and social burden. Patients experience a progressive deterioration up to end-stage COPD, characterised by very severe airflow limitation, severely limited and declining performance status with chronic respiratory failure, advanced age, multiple comorbidities and severe systemic manifestations/complications. COPD is frequently underdiagnosed and under-treated. Today, COPD develops earlier in life and is less gender specific. Tobacco smoking is the major risk factor for COPD, followed by occupation and air pollution. Severe deficiency for α1-antitrypsin is rare; several phenotypes are being associated with elevated risk for COPD in the presence of risk factor exposure. Any patient presenting with cough, sputum production or dyspnoea should be assessed by standardised spirometry. Continued exposure to noxious agents promotes a more rapid decline in lung function and increases the risk for repeated exacerbations, eventually leading to end-stage disease. Without major efforts in prevention, there will be an increasing proportion of end-stage patients who can live longer through long-term oxygen therapy and assisted ventilation, but with elevated suffering and huge costs. Smoking prevention and smoking cessation are the most important epidemiological measurements to counteract chronic obstructive pulmonary disease epidemics. SERIES “COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT OF END-STAGE COPD” Edited by N. Ambrosino and R. Goldstein Number 1 in this Series