Definition, epidemiology and natural history of COPD (original) (raw)
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2021
Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) research on chronic obstructive pulmonary condition (COPD) characterizes it as a prevalent, preventable, and curable illness with persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. airway blockage resulting in dyspnoea and air trapping when exercising airflow restriction can be attributed to smoking, ambient tobacco smoke exposure, and the patient's TB history COPD airflow restriction is largely caused by airway tightness, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. Repeated inhalation of hazardous particles induces chronic inflammatory immune cell infiltration, tissue repair, and airway remodeling, resulting in a 4-to 40-fold increase in airway resistance and bronchiolar constriction. 20% of small airways are bronchi, with the rest being either bronchioles or alveolar ductal gaps. Flow restriction includes alveolar wall disintegration and alveolar support. The modifications worsen the rapid FEV1 fall and contribute to the...
Clinical commentary – COPD is not a systemic disease
Respiratory Medicine, 2009
Although COPD is a major disease worldwide there is a perplexing current uncertainty about the nature of this disease. COPD is characterized at onset and prevalently by the involvement of the lungs and bronchi, but as the disease evolves abnormalities develop in other organs and systems and the question arises: what is the pathogenesis of these respiratory and systemic impairments? Are the alterations that occur outside the respiratory system in the course of COPD a direct consequence of the lung pathology or is the lung simply the local expression of a pathological event whose origin lies in the organism as a whole? To tease out this issue, the Expert Opinion Consensus/Dissensus Seminar "COPD is/is not a systemic disease?" took place in Venice, on 13-14 November 2008. The Seminar was conceived and organized by the Italian Interdisciplinary Association for Research in Lung Disease, AIMAR. Top international opinion leaders in the respiratory field were invited to participate, the aim being to bring together sustainers of the two sides in a format allowing the best opportunity for an in-depth debate. Over the two days, different aspects of the issue 'upstream' (pathophysiology and biology) and 'downstream' (treatment and outcome assessment) were discussed. The general consensus that emerged, based on the still limited evidence available, was that COPD begins as a local inflammation in the lungs and this leads - through differentiated pathways yet to be fully clarified - to systemic consequences.
MedStar Health " These guidelines are provided to assist physicians and other clinicians in making decisions regarding the care of their patients. They are not a substitute for individual judgment brought to each clinical situation by the patient's primary care provider in collaboration with the patient. As with all clinical reference resources, they reflect the best understanding of the science of medicine at the time of publication, but should be used with the clear understanding that continued research may result in new knowledge and recommendations ". The MedStar Health Ambulatory Best Practices Committee endorses and accepts the recommendations for care in Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management and Prevention of COPD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2016. A complete copy of the document can be downloaded for personal use at: http://www.goldcopd.org/guidelines-global-strategy-for-diagnosis-management.html. Below are the Key Points and key tables for each chapter of the GOLD guideline and are used with permission of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. The reader is referred to the complete document for expanded information and the references behind the key points. KEY POINTS: Chapter 1: Definition and Overview • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a common preventable and treatable disease, is characterized by persistent airflow limitation that is usually progressive and associated with an enhanced chronic inflammatory response in the airways and the lung to noxious particles or gases. Exacerbations and comorbidities contribute to the overall severity in individual patients. • COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and results in an economic and social burden that is both substantial and increasing. • Inhaled cigarette smoke and other noxious particles such as smoke from biomass fuels cause lung inflammation, a normal response that appears to be modified in patients who develop COPD. This chronic inflammatory response may induce parenchymal tissue destruction (resulting in emphysema), and disrupt normal repair and defense mechanisms (resulting in small airway fibrosis). These pathological changes lead to air trapping and progressive airflow limitation, and in turn to breathlessness and other characteristic symptoms of COPD.
An Overview of COPD, Causes, Clinical Manifestations, Complications, and its Management
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder is a disease of the respiratory system in which a person cannot breathe out normally. COPD is accompanied by dry cough, wheezing, and rales in the majority of cases. Patients may also experience difficulty breathing and be lethargic. The patient has a considerable amount of activity intolerance. Oxygen saturation remains below 80 percent in the maximum number of cases or ranges between 70-80. Though it is not curable, its progression can be halted and can be managed effectively following the advice of health care professionals, be it from the background of Medical or Nursing Sciences.