- Abstract -

At present COPD represents the 5 most prevalent cause of mortality in the world. The symptoms usually reported are dyspnea, cough and fatigue. Smoking represents the main factor in COPD. The age of 35 year (for smokers people) represents the start of pulmonary decline, these patients losing on average 25-30 ml of FEV1 yearly. Approximately 50% of the patients with COPD present between 6-10 comorbidities. COPD represents in the European Union the most important cause for absenteeism from work.
 

Key words: COPD, risk factors, inflammation, comorbidities