RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Natural history of COPD: gaps and opportunities
JF ERJ Open Research
JO erjor
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 00117-2017
DO 10.1183/23120541.00117-2017
VO 3
IS 4
A1 Alvar Agustí
A1 Bartolomé Celli
YR 2017
UL http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/3/4/00117-2017.abstract
AB Understanding the natural history of a disease is as important as knowing its cause(s) for effective disease prevention and treatment. Yet, our current understanding of the natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is incomplete and often controversial. This article discusses the current gaps, and hence opportunities for research, in this field. In particular, it discusses the following six specific questions. 1) Is COPD a “single” disease? 2) Is COPD “only” a lung disease? 3) When does COPD begin or what is “early” COPD? 4) How does COPD “progress”? 5) How do we assess disease “severity”? 6) Can COPD be prevented (beyond smoking cessation) or its course be modified once detected?A new review series starts in ERJ Open Research: “Gaps in our understanding of COPD” http://ow.ly/CFSD30gpXs8