About COPD
Learn more about COPD, its symptoms and stages, and the risk factors that contribute to the disease. Also, discover more about the global burden of COPD and how it affects patients’ lives.
What is COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the world, killing millions of patients every year.1
Risk factors for COPD
Although tobacco smoking is the most studied risk factor for COPD, other important risk factors include genes, age and gender, lung growth and development, exposure to particles, socioeconomic status, asthma/bronchial hyperreactivity, chronic bronchitis and infections.1 Learn about the major risk factors for COPD, and their implications on disease development.
Burden and prevalance of COPD
COPD carries a huge burden both in terms of healthcare provision and patient numbers.1 Learn about the impact of the disease globally and economically.
How is COPD diagnosed
Learn about how COPD is diagnosed and the stages of disease severity.
Patient perspective
COPD seriously impacts on the lives of patients and their families. Listen to COPD patients describe how the disease affects them both physically and psychologically.
Facts and figures
Quick facts and figures on the disease.
References
- Global Initiative for COPD: Global strategy for the diagnosis, management and prevention of COPD. 2011. www.goldcopd.org