Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica en el Siglo XXI - Optimismo basado en evidencia / Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the 21st Century - Evidence-based optimism

ABSTRACT

There are increasingly more data on the prevalence and distribution of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) from around the world. COPD is predicted to be the third most frequent cause of death in the world by 2020. COPD is mainly caused by chronic tobacco smoking, which induces important changes in both the airways and lung parenchyma. COPD is a progressive, disabling condition that ultimately ends in respiratory failure and death. Is a multicomponent disease, there is evidence that systemic inflammation and extrapulmonary effects are also common in COPD, although the association between systemic inflammation and systemic manifestations of COPD is still not entirely clear. COPD has been associated with a nihilistic attitude. On the basis of current evidence, this nihilistic attitude is totally unjustified. The disease must be viewed through the lens of a new paradigm COPD is not only preventable but also treatable. The past decade has witnessed great progress in COPD research. New drugs have been developed and tested and a growing base of scientific evidence now documents the efficacy of various therapies for symptoms and exacerbations. It is clear that many patients with COPD can benefit from aggressive management, with a decrease in the frequency of hospitalizations and improvements in symptoms and quality of life. In addition, basic and clinical scientists have now identified cells, mechanisms, and molecules that appear to play key roles in disease pathogenesis. Additional novel treatments are on the horizon and the advent of newer and more effective therapies will lead to a decline in the contribution of this disease to poor world health. The good news about COPD is to increase awareness of the disease. COPD is now viewed under a new paradigm as preventable and treatable.