Advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Ewa Jassem; Joanna Maria Jassem-Bobowicz; Maciej Bobowicz

Vol 8, No 2 (2009)

Review articles

Published online: 2009-03-30

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Advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Ewa Jassem, Joanna Maria Jassem-Bobowicz, Maciej Bobowicz

Advances in Palliative Medicine 2009;8(2):45-52.

Vol 8, No 2 (2009)

Review articles

Published online: 2009-03-30

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common chronic diseases and the fourth cause of death in the world. Its advanced forms (severe - in case of FEV1 indicator below 50% of the norm and very severe - below 30%) usually lead to respiratory disability and premature death. The prognoses of those suffering from severe forms of COPD are no different from patients with lung cancer. The course of the disease is highly influenced by its exacerbation and co-morbidities, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, lung cancer and peptic ulcer.
Treatment aims at stopping the progress of disease, preventing its exacerbation and relieving tiresome symptoms, mainly dyspnoea, chronic cough and decreasing tolerance of effort.