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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of disease and mortality worldwide and is primarily seen in smokers and ex-smokers above 40 years of age. It is characterized by inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles and destruction of elastic and collagen fibres in the lung tissue, the alveoli. This leads to progressive loss of lung volume, which is perceived by the patient as increasing dyspnoea upon exertion. In severe COPD with lung function impairment of less than 50% of normal value, some patients experience dyspnoea at rest and systemic manifestations such as chronic respiratory failure and muscle depletion. Furthermore, a proportion of patients also experience acute exacerbations, that can be life-threatening, usually due to respiratory infections. This paper focuses on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, symptoms and diagnosis in COPD.

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