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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: People
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A 2003 study reported a higher rate of suicidal thoughts in patients with COPD or asthma than in those with any other major chronic illness, including arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Psychological interventions may be particularly helpful for people with COPD.
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Although cigarette smoking is the major risk factor for COPD, in recent years researchers have uncovered genetic abnormalities that may make people more susceptible to the disease. Hereditary deficiency of an enzyme called alpha-1 antitrypsin confers significant increased risk (Kasper DL et al 2005). Unlike other forms of COPD, lung damage in alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency appears relatively early in life (Lee P et al 2002). Patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency ... may have liver disease and other organ system damage, and they are more vulnerable to the damaging effects of cigarette smoke (US National Library of Medicine 2005).
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People with COPD, especially those who have chronic bronchitis, may have a rapid, sometimes sudden, and prolonged worsening of symptoms (cough, amount of mucus, and/or shortness of breath). This is called a COPD exacerbation. It can be mild to life-threatening, and you may have to go to the hospital. COPD may ... lead to a lung infection such as pneumonia, depression, weight loss, and a heart problem called cor pulmonale.
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COPD affects approximately 16 million people and is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, following heart disease, cancer and stroke. Furthermore, it is the only major chronic disease currently increasing in prevalence and mortality. Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted by CMS until September 24, 2004. CMS plans to publish the final rule by November 1, 2004, with an effective date of January 1, 2005.
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In the United States, approximately 14.2 million people have been diagnosed with COPD, 12.5 million people have chronic bronchitis, and 1.7 million people have emphysema. It is estimated that there may be an additional equal number of US citizens that have COPD but who have not been diagnosed with the disorder. The number of people with COPD has increased by 41.5% since 1982.
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COPD is often a mix of two diseases, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Both of these diseases are caused by smoking. Although you can have either chronic bronchitis or emphysema, people more often have a mixture of both diseases.
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