HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Halpin, D. M. G. Articles by Miravitlles, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Halpin, D. M. G. Articles by Miravitlles, M.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The Disease and Its Burden to Society

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter, United Kingdom; and Department of Pneumology, Clinical Institute of Thorax (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain

Correspondence and requests for reprints should be addressed to Dr. David Halpin, Ph.D., F.R.C.P., Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5DW UK. E-mail: david.halpin{at}rdehc-tr.swest.nhs.uk

ABSTRACT

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a multicomponent disease with inflammation at its core, and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. It represents a substantial economic and social burden throughout the world. Currently, COPD is the fifth leading cause of death worldwide, and despite advances in management, mortality is expected to increase in the coming decades, in marked contrast to other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and stroke, where there have been considerable decreases in mortality. On a patient level, the burden of COPD to patients and their families and carers is high, both in terms of health-related quality of life and health status. Health care providers and patients often underestimate the substantial morbidity associated with COPD; the condition is also frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated, which further compromises morbidity. Reducing the burden of COPD requires better evaluation and diagnosis, as well as improved management of chronic symptoms. As exacerbations and hospitalizations represent an important driver of the cost and morbidity of COPD, high priority should be given to interventions aimed at delaying the progression of disease, preventing exacerbations, and reducing the risk of comorbidities to alleviate the clinical and economic burden of disease.

Key Words: burden of disease • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease • cost • epidemiology • management

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. Fishwick and S. Naylor COPD and the workplace. Is it really possible to detect early cases? Occup. Med., March 1, 2007; 57(2): 82 - 84. [Full Text] [PDF]