COPD: problems in diagnosis and measurement

• Published in: The European respiratory journal Vol. 21; no. Supplement 41; pp. 4S - 12s
• Main Authors: Weiss, S.T, DeMeo, D.L, Postma, D.S
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Leeds Eur Respiratory Soc 01.06.2003; Maney
• Subjects: Age Distribution; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Bronchial Hyperreactivity - physiopathology; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma; Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pneumology; Prognosis; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - diagnosis; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - epidemiology; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - therapy; Respiratory Function Tests; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Distribution; Survival Rate; Treatment Outcome; Human; Lung disease; Prognosis; Hyperreactivity; Respiratory disease; Bronchus; exacerbation. pulmonary function testing. outcome mmeasurement; Maximal expiratory volume per second; Airway hyperresponsiveness; Chronic; Lung function; Treatment; comorbidities; Bronchus disease; Obstructive pulmonary disease; Diagnosis
• ISSN: 0903-1936; 0904-1850; 1399-3003
• DOI: 10.1183/09031936.03.00077702

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most rapidly rising cause of death in individuals >65 yrs of age, the most rapidly growing segment of the USA population. Advancing the clinical research agenda for COPD entails careful consideration of several issues and problems: defining COPD, reliance on physiological testing, outcome measurements and comorbidities. In addition, issues pertaining to the recent dramatic increase in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality in females, smoking susceptibility and the relationship of respiratory symptoms with hyperresponsiveness, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease heterogeneity, are discussed.