Early chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A new perspective

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease with a high incidence, mortality, and disability rate. Because there are few symptoms in the early stages of COPD, diagnosis and treatment are seriously insufficient. It is necessary to find effective clues for early COPD diagnosis and provide appropriate interventions. Several studies suggest that small airway disease is the earliest stage of COPD because it is correlated with subsequent development of airflow obstruction. However, there are currently no globally accepted criteria for defining early COPD. This study mainly introduced risk factors, definition, diagnosis, and treatment of early COPD from a new perspective.

Assessment and Management of COPD

“…Emphysema progresses gradually with alveolar destruction causing the tiny air sacs to rupture, creating one large air pocket instead of many small ones (Lu et al, 2021). This causes a reduction in lung surface area and loss of elasticity.…”

“…This causes a reduction in lung surface area and loss of elasticity. Air gets trapped in the damaged alveoli, preventing the movement of oxygen into the bloodstream and the removal of carbon dioxide (Lu et al, 2021). The lungs gradually overfill, making breathing difficult.…”

Definición De Displasia Broncopulmonar Propuesta Por La Comisión Neo Sochinep

“…Por lo tanto, consideramos que no solo es un problema de madurez y crecimiento pulmonar, si no que se trata de una enfermedad pulmonar crónica, que afectará al prematuro cuando esté expuesto a situaciones de mayor requerimiento de su reserva, como una infección viral, sobre todo durante el primer año de la vida, o durante el ejercicio en la edad escolar (23). Incluso estos niños tienen mayor posibilidad de presentar cuadros respiratorios semejantes al asma, sin buena respuesta a corticoides inhalados y mayor probabilidad de desarrollar EPOC en su etapa adulta (3,24).…”

Focus on Early COPD: Definition and Early Lung Development

“… 5 FEV 1 and forced vital capacity (FVC) decline with age, and FEV 1 declines faster than FVC. 12 Since the international guidelines failed to correct for age, the elderly are over-diagnosed and the younger population is underdiagnosed. 13 Nonetheless, there are no clear diagnostic criteria for early COPD.…”