CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE

PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)

 Definition
• It is the name of a group of chronic and slowly
progressive respiratory disorders
characterized by reduced maximal expiratory
flow during forced exhalation
• Disease state characterized by the presence of
airflow obstruction due to chronic bronchitis
or emphysema
• Chronic bronchitis: Presence of a chronic
productive cough for 3 months during each of
2 consecutive years (other causes of cough
being excluded).
 Emphysema:

It is defined as an abnormal, permanent

enlargement of the air spaces distal to the
terminal bronchioles, accompanied by
destruction of their walls and without obvious
fibrosis
 Epidemiology

• Local Data unavailable.

• COPD is currently the fourth leading cause of
death in the United States
• Age 40 years and older is approximately
9-10%
• Males are more frequently affected than
females and Caucasians more frequently than
African Americans.