Abstract
The WHO and GOLD defines chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as: a predominatly lung disease characterised by chronic obstruction of lung airflow (sometimes progressive, sometimes non-progressive) that interferes with normal breathing and is not fully reversible. The airflow obstruction in COPD is due to damage to the lung structure and destruction of lung tissue.
COPD is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The most important risk factor for COPD is tobacco smoke (50-70% COPD subjects).
Indoor air pollution (typically from cooking fires), exposure to occupational dust, chemicals and fumes, infections, genetic predisposition, socioeconomic status and factors associated with lung growth are another risk factors. More recently the systemic effects of more severe COPD have been recognised, including weight loss, nutritional disturbances and abnormal skeletal muscle function.
COPD is also frequently associated with heart disease, osteoporosis and diabetes, which influence morbidity and mortality. Common symptoms of COPD include chronic cough, sputum production and shortness of breath.
Measurement of lung function using spirometry and body pletysmography confirms the diagnosis and helps to classify the severity of the disease. Our article refers to several faces of current view on COPD.