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 one of the top five causes of mortality, killing millions of patients every year.1
Risk factors for COPD
The most important risk factors for COPD are tobacco smoking, outdoor and indoor air pollution and occupational dusts and chemicals.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. 2010. www.goldcopd.org
- Agusti. A. COPD, a multicomponent disease: implications for management. Respir Med 2005;99:670-682.