conclusions the fev1/fev6 ratio can be used as a valid surrogate for fev1/fvc in the diagnosis of airway obstruction, especially for screening purposes in high-risk populations for copd. moreover, fev6 is an acceptable alternative for fvc in detection of restrictive pattern. results this study shows that the current cut-off points used to detect obstruction and restriction can be replaced by fe...

When expiratory flow is maximal during tidal breathing and cannot be increased unless operative lung volumes move towards total lung capacity, tidal expiratory flow limitation (EFL) is said to occur. EFL represents a severe mechanical constraint caused by different mechanisms and observed in different conditions, but it is more relevant in terms of prevalence and negative consequences in obstru...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by destruction of extracellular matrix (ECM) in parenchymal areas, whereas the bronchial walls can show fibrosis. In addition, an extensive inflammatory process is observed. CD8+ T-cells, located throughout the lung, and epithelial cells in centrally located airways, produce cytokines involved in the inflammatory process. These cytok...

Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) is a chronic multisystem disease with a considerable burden. One of its most common complications is pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). It has been demonstrated that the development of PAH is correlated with decreased quality of life and survival. Different medications have been proposed for the treatment of PAH, among which one can name statins. Howeve...

Background: Lung volume reduction (LVR) and lung transplantation (LTx) have been used in different populations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. To date, comparative study LVR LTx has not performed. We sought to address this gap by pooling the existing evidence literature.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable disease with some significant extrapulmonary effects that may contribute to the severity in individual patients. Its pulmonary component is characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lung to ...

Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is attributed predominantly to tobacco smoke, occupational exposures are also suspected risk factors for COPD. Estimating the proportion of COPD attributable to occupation is thus an important public health need. A randomly selected sample of 2,061 US residents aged 55-75 yrs completed telephone interviews covering respiratory health, genera...

Received 24 December 2010 Revised 24 January 2011 Accepted 25 January 2011 Early online 27 January 2011 Print 31 January 2011 Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease (MND) is a relentlessly progressive neurological disorder causing peripheral muscular weakness and resultant respiratory failure. In this article, we report a case of ALS with chronic obstructive pul...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations impair health. The present authors analysed participants in the Boston Early-Onset COPD Study for familial aggregation and propensity for COPD exacerbations. In the present study, two exacerbation outcomes, episodes of cough and phlegm, and frequent exacerbations were analysed with multivariable modelling and generalised estimating equa...