CHEST COPD Immersion June 2025-1. COPD Definition.Epidemiology.Pathophysiology Overview

1. COPD Definition.Epidemiology.Pathophysiology Overview

Pdf Summary

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a significant public health concern characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms and progressive airflow obstruction due to abnormalities in the airways and alveoli. Defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) as a heterogeneous lung condition, COPD encompasses chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is predominantly identified through post-bronchodilator spirometry tests when the FEV1/FVC ratio is less than 70%. <br /><br />The condition shares some symptoms with asthma, such as persistent cough and breathlessness, but differs in its chronic and typically irreversible nature. In COPD, airways lose elasticity, air sac walls are destroyed, leading to airflow obstruction, chronic inflammation, and mucus production. Chronic bronchitis is diagnosed by a productive cough lasting at least three months over two consecutive years, while emphysema involves the destruction and enlargement of airspaces distal to terminal bronchioles.<br /><br />COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, with its prevalence and mortality rates expected to rise. It is often underdiagnosed and under-reported. Major risk factors include smoking, genetic predispositions like alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, environmental pollutants, and occupational exposures. <br /><br />The pathophysiology of COPD involves an abnormal inflammatory response to inhaled noxious particles, causing a cascade of immune and structural changes of the airways. This includes oxidative stress, imbalances in protease and anti-protease activity, and recruitment of inflammatory cells, leading to progressive lung decline and impaired quality of life.<br /><br />Management focuses on prevention, early diagnosis, reducing exposure to risk factors, and patient education to mitigate its progression. COPD presents a significant burden on healthcare systems, necessitating ongoing research and improved treatment strategies to address its complex nature effectively.

Keywords

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

chronic bronchitis

emphysema

spirometry

airflow obstruction

smoking

alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

inflammatory response

lung disease

healthcare burden