CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD) – AN UNDERESTIMATED PROBLEM

Abstract

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an example of a disease contributing to more and more frequent deaths all over the world. As far as the mortality rate is concerned, COPR is in fourth position. However, predictions about the next decade reveal a further worsening of the death rate from this disease. The factors which contribute to the development of COPD are individual and environmental. The most important individual factor is alpha1- antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). The environmental factors include smoking, pollution of work environment in terms of dust and chemicals, air pollution. Other reasons for the development of COPD are recurrent pulmonary and respiratory infections in early childhood as well passive smoking.