COPD and its exacerbation

Chronic (long-term) Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), is characterized by long-term narrowing of lung airways and airflow limitation. It is not fully reversible and shows progression in time. 

COPD develops as a result of inflammatory process provoked by harmful gas and particles (especially cigarette smoke). Long-term obstruction of airways and destruction of lung tissue lead to a severe shortness of breathing. 

As the disease progression is insidious, and patients disregard the symptoms such as cough and phlegm discharge, When COPD is diagnosed, patients present substantial loss of their lung capacity. 

COPD exacerbation is defined as “significant events that require treatment modification and characterized by shortness of breathing, cough and/or change in phlegm during natural course of the disease”. ^1-4 

Prevalence of COPD

COPD is underdiagnosed, undertreated and not known sufficiently. Of the COPD patients, 25-40% are diagnosed in the World and 8.4% are diagnosed in our country. Among the reasons of death in the World and in Turkey, COPD is on the 4th and 3rd place, respectively.

Factors causing COPD 

Defining risk factors of COPD is important in reducing its prevalence in various populations and in controlling disease progression. The risk factors which play role in development of COPD can be classified under 6 titles:

• Hereditary factors
• Smoking
• Exposure to environmental and occupational harmful gases
• Indoor and outdoor pollution
• Factors negatively affecting lung development
• Asthma