Extract
Mucus accumulation, related to excess mucus production and secretion in proximal and distal airways, is an established characteristic in the airways of patients with COPD. Chronic bronchitis, a consequence of cigarette smoking that can be found in smokers with or without COPD, is a disabling symptom and has been associated with increased rates of exacerbations and hospitalisations in patients with COPD [1] and in subjects with normal spirometry [2]. Chronic bronchitis is usually ascribed to inflammation and airway mucus hypersecretion by airway epithelium and submucosal glands in proximal airways [3].
Abstract
Cholinergic stimulation increases mucociliary clearance but long-acting anti-muscarinic treatment remains one of the major therapies for patients with COPD http://bit.ly/2RlXAwl
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: P-R. Burgel reports personal fees from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, GSK, Novartis, Pfizer, Vertex, Teva, Zambon and Mylan, outside the submitted work.
- Received December 23, 2019.
- Accepted January 6, 2020.
- Copyright ©ERS 2020