Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: Understanding the natural history of a disease is as important as knowing its cause(s) for effective disease prevention and treatment. Yet, our current understanding of the natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is incomplete and often controversial. This article discusses the current gaps, and hence opportunities for research, in this field. In particular, it discusses the following six specific questions. 1) Is COPD a "single" disease? 2) Is COPD "only" a lung disease? 3) When does COPD begin or what is "early" COPD? 4) How does COPD "progress"? 5) How do we assess disease "severity"? 6) Can COPD be prevented (beyond smoking cessation) or its course be modified once detected?
Source: ERJ Open Research
Authors: Alvar Agustí, Bartolomé Celli
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $808
OpenAlex ID: W2772063583