Pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : an African perspective
Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health & Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
The importance of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as a global health problem cannot be overstated. According to the latest World Health Organization statistics (2005), 210 million people suffer from COPD worldwide, and 5% of all deaths globally are estimated to be caused by this disease. This corresponds to >3 million deaths annually, of which 90% are thought to occur in low- and middle-income countries. While cigarette smoking remains the major risk factor, and much of the increase in COPD is associated with projected increases in tobacco use, epidemiological studies have demonstrated that in the majority of patients in developing countries the aetiology of COPD is multifactorial. This article summarises the epidemiology of and risk factors for COPD in Africa, including influences other than cigarette smoking that are important contributors to chronic irreversible airflow limitation in our setting.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar
Description
CITATION: Allwood, B. & Calligaro, G . 2015. Pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : an African perspective. South African Medical Journal, 105(9):789, doi:10.7196/SAMJnew.8424.
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
Keywords
Lungs -- Diseases, Obstructive -- Pathogenesis, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Cigarette smoking, Bronchitis -- Chronic diseases
Citation
Allwood, B. & Calligaro, G . 2015. Pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : an African perspective. South African Medical Journal, 105(9):789, doi:10.7196/SAMJnew.8424