Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a concise review

Med Clin North Am. 2011 Nov;95(6):1125-41. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2011.08.009.

Abstract

Globally, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of significant morbidity and mortality, and is now the third leading cause of death in the United States. Over the past 15 years there has been a surge of bench and translational research regarding the genetics and pathogenesis of COPD, and several large-scale clinical trials have introduced new treatment paradigms for COPD. Current research also demonstrates that COPD is not just a lung disease and that there are several potential extrapulmonary manifestations and comorbidities that should be evaluated and treated when one identifies an individual as having COPD.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bronchodilator Agents / administration & dosage
  • Comorbidity
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Lung Transplantation
  • Pneumonectomy
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / blood
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / epidemiology
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / rehabilitation
  • Risk Factors
  • Spirometry
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Bronchodilator Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors