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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Deaths
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C[H]ronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) comprises a mixed group of common respiratory diseases united by the presence of persistent airflow limitation, arising usually after many years of tobacco smoking. This regrettably common and largely avoidable disease affects at least 6% of men and 3% of women (1) and is the fourth most common cause of death in the United States today. It is the only common cause of death still increasing in prevalence.
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Cares for many chronic health conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are delivered by both specialists and generalists. COPD is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality and is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the world, and further increases in the incidence and mortality of the disease can be predicted in the coming decades ( 3 ). The increasing incidence of COPD has led to the publication of COPD guidelines in 1995 and again recently in 2001 and 2003.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of long-term, irreversible diseases that make it difficult to breathe because air does not flow easily out of the lungs. Over time, COPD worsens and may lead to severe shortness of breath, heart problems, and death.
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Recently, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has gained interest as a major public health concern and is currently the focus of intense research because of its persistently increasing prevalence, mortality, and disease burden. COPD currently ranks as the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, surpassed only by heart disease, cancer, and cerebrovascular disease.1,2 Furthermore, COPD is projected to become the fifth leading burden of disease worldwide by the year 2020.3 COPD is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and is the only disease for which the prevalence and mortality rates continue to rise.
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COPD is a progressive disease. Obstructive changes in spirometry and decreases in diffusion capacity are typically seen before symptoms occur. Early signs and symptoms are shortness of breathon exertion, recurrent respiratory infectionsor a morning cough. As the disease continues, the symptoms are seen with increased frequency and severity. In the late stages, the patient often experiences severe cough, constant wheezing, and shortness of breath with minimal exertion or rest. At this late stage, progression to respiratory failureand deathis common.
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COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in America, behind heart disease, cancer and stroke. Twelve million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD and at least another 12 million have symptoms but are not diagnosed. COPD is not well understood or recognized - most Americans have not heard of it, not even those who may be living with the condition. The most common cause of COPD is cigarette smoking, which is responsible for an estimated 80 to 90 percent of COPD cases. Estimates of the total incidence of COPD in America range from 24 to 30 million.
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