Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk factors: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of [[disease|diseases]] characterized by the pathological limitation of airflow in the [[airway]] that is not fully reversible. A full comprehensive diagnosis is needed to eliminate related conditions and isolate the influence of lifestyle and behavior on condition outcome. | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of [[disease|diseases]] characterized by the pathological limitation of airflow in the [[airway]] that is not fully reversible. A full comprehensive diagnosis is needed to eliminate related conditions and isolate the influence of lifestyle and behavior risk factors on condition outcome. | ||
== | ==Risk Factors== | ||
===Cigarette smoking=== | ===Cigarette smoking=== | ||
A primary factor of COPD is chronic tobacco smoking. In the United States, around 90% of cases of COPD are due to smoking.<ref name="medcauses">[http://www.medicinenet.com/chronic_obstructive_pulmonary_disease_copd/page3.htm7whatcauses MedicineNet.com - COPD causes]</ref> Not all smokers will develop COPD, but continuous smokers have at least a 25% risk.<ref>Lokke A, Lange P, Scharling H, Fabricius P, Vestbo J. Developing COPD: a 25 year follow up study of the general population. ''Thorax''. 2006 Nov;61(11):935-9. PMID 17071833</ref> | A primary factor of COPD is chronic tobacco smoking. In the United States, around 90% of cases of COPD are due to smoking.<ref name="medcauses">[http://www.medicinenet.com/chronic_obstructive_pulmonary_disease_copd/page3.htm7whatcauses MedicineNet.com - COPD causes]</ref> Not all smokers will develop COPD, but continuous smokers have at least a 25% risk.<ref>Lokke A, Lange P, Scharling H, Fabricius P, Vestbo J. Developing COPD: a 25 year follow up study of the general population. ''Thorax''. 2006 Nov;61(11):935-9. PMID 17071833</ref> | ||
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===Genetics=== | ===Genetics=== | ||
Very rarely, there may be a deficiency in an [[enzyme]] known as [[alpha 1-antitrypsin]] which causes a form of COPD.<ref>[http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000091.htm MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia]</ref> | Very rarely, there may be a deficiency in an [[enzyme]] known as [[alpha 1-antitrypsin]] which causes a form of COPD.<ref>[http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000091.htm MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia]</ref> | ||
===Other risk factors=== | |||
Increasing age, male gender, allergy, repeated airway infection and general impaired lung function are also related to the development of COPD. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 14:48, 23 September 2011
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Philip Marcus, M.D., M.P.H. [2]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [3]
Overview
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of diseases characterized by the pathological limitation of airflow in the airway that is not fully reversible. A full comprehensive diagnosis is needed to eliminate related conditions and isolate the influence of lifestyle and behavior risk factors on condition outcome.
Risk Factors
Cigarette smoking
A primary factor of COPD is chronic tobacco smoking. In the United States, around 90% of cases of COPD are due to smoking.[1] Not all smokers will develop COPD, but continuous smokers have at least a 25% risk.[2]
Occupational pollutants
Some occupational pollutants, such as cadmium and silica, have shown to be a contributing risk factor for COPD. The people at highest risk for these pollutants include coal workers, construction workers, metal workers and cotton workers, amongst others. However, in most cases these pollutants are combined with cigarette smoking further increasing the chance of developing COPD.[1] These occupations are commonly associated with other respiratory diseases, particularly pneumoconiosis (black lung disease).
Air pollution
Urban air pollution may be a contributing factor for COPD as it is thought to impair the development of the lung function. In developing countries indoor air pollution, usually due to biomass fuel, has been linked to COPD, especially in women.
Genetics
Very rarely, there may be a deficiency in an enzyme known as alpha 1-antitrypsin which causes a form of COPD.[3]
Other risk factors
Increasing age, male gender, allergy, repeated airway infection and general impaired lung function are also related to the development of COPD.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 MedicineNet.com - COPD causes
- ↑ Lokke A, Lange P, Scharling H, Fabricius P, Vestbo J. Developing COPD: a 25 year follow up study of the general population. Thorax. 2006 Nov;61(11):935-9. PMID 17071833
- ↑ MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia