ABC of COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by largely irreversible airflow obstruction and an abnormal inflammatory response within the lungs It is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and Europe Cases of known COPD are likely to only represent the ‘tip of the iceberg’ with as many individuals undiagnosed Other conditions also cause progressive airflow obstruction and these need to be differentiated from COPD COPD is usually caused by cigarette smoking, but pipe, cigar and passive smoking, indoor and outdoor air pollution, occupational exposures, previous tuberculosis and repeated early life respiratory tract infections have all been implicated in its development

The prevalence of COPD in never smokers (estimated to be between 25 and 45% worldwide) is higher than previously thought; the use of biomass fuel (mainly in developing countries) is one of the main risk factors Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease characterised by airflow obstruction and destruction of lung parenchyma. The current definition as suggested by the American Thoracic and European Respiratory Societies is as follows: COPD is a preventable and treatable disease state characterised by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases, primarily caused by cigarette smoking. Although COPD affects the lungs, it also produces significant systemic consequences.