NUK - logo
E-viri
Recenzirano Odprti dostop
  • Epidemiology of COPD
    Raherison, C; Girodet, P-O

    European respiratory review, 12/2009, Letnik: 18, Številka: 114
    Journal Article

    * Dept of Respiratory Diseases, CHU Bordeaux, Institute of Public Health, Epidemiology and Development, University of Bordeaux 2, and # Dept of Pharmacology, CHU Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France. CORRESPONDENCE: C. Raherison, Dept of Respiratory Diseases, Haut-Lévèque, CHU Bordeaux, EA 3672, Institute of Public Health, Epidemiology and Development, University of Bordeaux 2, 146 rue Léo Saignat, 33076 Bordeaux, France. E-mail: chantal.raherison{at}chu-bordeaux.fr Received: June 2, 2009 Accepted September 9, 2009 ABSTRACT Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is responsible for early mortality, high death rates and significant cost to health systems. The projection for 2020 indicates that COPD will be the third leading cause of death worldwide (from sixth in 1990) and fifth leading cause of years lost through early mortality or handicap (disability-adjusted life years) (12th in 1990). Active smoking remains the main risk factor, but other factors are becoming better known, such as occupational factors, infections and the role of air pollution. Prevalence of COPD varies according to country, age and sex. This disease is also associated with significant comorbidities. COPD is a disorder that includes various phenotypes, the continuum of which remains under debate. The major challenge in the coming years will be to prevent onset of smoking along with early detection of the disease in the general population. KEYWORDS: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, epidemiology, morbidity, mortality, (cigarette) smoking