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Recent advances in COPD: pathophysiology, respiratory physiology and clinical aspects, including comorbidities

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: wing to its major and better recognised burden from both individual and societal perspectives, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an area of intensive epidemiological, fundamental and clinical research, leading to the publication of more than 10,000 papers each year in the PubMed database.Among these, many report important advances in the understanding of and care for COPD.Epidemiological aspects are the topic of another manuscript in this issue of the European Respiratory Review [1], while the treatment of COPD and its exacerbations will be addressed in other reviews in upcoming issues.Thus, the present paper will focus on more fundamental aspects of pathophysiology, resting and exercise lung mechanics, respiratory muscles and gas exchange, together with more clinical topics, including respiratory symptoms and comorbidities.The purpose of the authors is clearly not to be exhaustive but to focus on points that are likely to have some impact on clinical practice in the relatively short term.

Source: European Respiratory Review

DOI: 10.1183/09059180.00005509

Authors: A. Bourdin, P-R Burgel, P. Chanez, G. Garcia, T. Perez, N. Roche