PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 11765579

[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): current concepts].

R Louis
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

COPD is a widespread disease in western countries affecting 10% of adults and linked to tobacco consumption in 90% of cases. This disorder is characterized by a reduced maximal expiratory flow which is irreversible and slowly progressive over the years. In those who are genetically prone to develop a COPD, chronic exposure to toxic fumes or particles generates a bronchiolitis and an emphysema which cause disturbances in ventilation mechanics and alveolar gaz exchange. This leads to symptoms of breathlessness, hypoxemia, pulmonary hypertension and, in end stage disease, cor pulmonale. The smoking cessation is the only way to prevent the occurrence of COPD.

Explore related subjects

BronchiolitisEmphysemaHumansHypertension, PulmonaryHypoxiaInhalation ExposurePulmonary Disease, Chronic ObstructiveRespiratory Function TestsSmokingSmoking CessationXenobioticsJournal ArticleReview

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

R Louis. 2001. [Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): current concepts].. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11765579/

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2006

Chest radiography in children aged 2-59 months diagnosed with non-severe pneumonia as defined by World Health Organization: descriptive multicentre study in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the chest radiographs of children diagnosed with non-severe pneumonia on the basis of the current World Health Organization guidelines (fast breathing alone) for radiological evidence of pneumonia. DESIGN: Descriptive analysis. SETTING: Outpatient departments of six hospitals in four cities in Pakistan. PARTICIPANTS: 2000 children with non-severe pneumonia were enrolled; 1932 children were selected for chest radiography. INTERVENTIONS: Two consultant radiologists used standardised WHO definitions to evaluate chest radiographs; no clinical information was made available to them. If they disagreed, the radiographs were read by a third radiologist; the final classification was based on agreement between two of the three radiologists. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence or absence of pneumonia on radiographs. RESULTS: Chest radiographs were reported normal in 1519 children (82%). Radiological evidence of pneumonia was reported in only 263 (14%) children, most of whom had interstitial pneumonitis. Lobar consolidation was present in only 26 children. The duration of illness did not correlate significantly with the presence of radiological changes (relative risk 1.17, 95% confidence interval 0.91 to 1.49). CONCLUSION: Most children diagnosed with non-severe pneumonia on the basis of the current WHO definition had normal chest radiographs.

Bronchiolitis↗