Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overview

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]; Philip Marcus, M.D., M.P.H. [3]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [4]

Overview

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD), is a group of diseases characterized by the pathological limitation of airflow in the airway that is not fully reversible [1]. COPD is the umbrella term for chronic bronchitis, emphysema and a range of other lung disorders. It is most often due to tobacco smoking,[2] but can be due to other airborne irritants such as coal dust, asbestos or solvents, congenital conditions such as alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency and as well as preserved meats containing nitrites.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD), chronic obstructive airway disease (COAD), chronic airflow limitation (CAL) and chronic obstructive respiratory disease (CORD), is the co-occurrence of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of commonly co-existing diseases of the lungs in which the airways become narrowed.[3] This leads to a limitation of the flow of air to and from the lungs, causing shortness of breath (dyspnea). In clinical practice, COPD is defined by its characteristically low airflow on lung function tests.[4] In contrast to asthma, this limitation is poorly reversible and usually gets progressively worse over time. In England, an estimated 842,100 of 50 million people have a diagnosis of COPD.[5]

COPD is caused by noxious particles or gas, most commonly from tobacco smoking, which triggers an abnormal inflammatory response in the lung.[6]

The diagnosis of COPD requires lung function tests. Important management strategies are smoking cessation, vaccinations, rehabilitation, and drug therapy (often using inhalers). Some patients go on to require long-term oxygen therapy or lung transplantation.[6]

Worldwide, COPD ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in 1990. It is projected to be the fourth leading cause of death worldwide by 2030 due to an increase in smoking rates and demographic changes in many countries.[7] COPD is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and the economic burden of COPD in the U.S. in 2007 was $42.6 billion in health care costs and lost productivity.[8][9]

References

  1. Mannino DM, Homa DM, Akinbami LJ, Ford ES, Redd SC (2002). "Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease surveillance--United States, 1971-2000". MMWR. Surveillance Summaries : Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Surveillance Summaries / CDC. 51 (6): 1–16. PMID 12198919. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  2. Devereux G. ABC of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Definition, epidemiology, and risk factors. BMJ 2006;332:1142-1144. PMID 16690673
  3. "What is COPD?". National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. U.S. National Institutes of Health. June 01, 2010. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. Template:Cite doi [1]
  5. Simpson CR, Hippisley-Cox J, Sheikh A (2010). "Trends in the epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in England: a national study of 51 804 patients". Brit J Gen Pract. 60 (576): 483–488. doi:10.3399/bjgp10X514729. PMC 2894402. PMID 20594429.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Rabe KF, Hurd S, Anzueto A; et al. (2007). "Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: GOLD Executive Summary". Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 176 (6): 532–55.
  7. Mathers CD, Loncar D (2006). "Projections of Global Mortality and Burden of Disease from 2002 to 2030". PLoS Med. 3 (11): e442. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0030442. PMC 1664601. PMID 17132052. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  8. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
  9. "2007 NHLBI Morbidity and Mortality Chart Book" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-06-06.


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