What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently one of the top five causes of mortality and is predicted to be of increased importance in the future.
1 Although COPD results in millions of deaths every year, it does not receive the same attention as other diseases such as AIDS or cancer. Most people do not even recognise the term COPD and are unaware of its chronic debilitating nature and impact on society.
COPD is an umbrella term that encompasses chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The disease is characterised by a range of pathological changes in the lung which all contribute to chronic airflow limitation that is not fully reversible.
1 Extra-pulmonary effects such as significant systemic inflammation impact on the cardiovascular, muscular, metabolic
2 and skeletal systems and contribute to a range of comorbidities such as diabetes,
3 that are associated with the disease.
Expert opinion
References
- Global Initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease: Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of COPD. 2010. www.goldcopd.org
- Marquis K, Maltais F, Duguay V, et al. The metabolic syndrome in patients with COPD. J Cardiopulm Rehabil 2005;25:226-232.
- Rana JS, Mittleman MA, Sheikh J, et al. COPD, asthma, and risk of type 2 diabetes in women. Diabetes Care 2004;27:2478-2484.