ABSTRACT
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of
morbidity and mortality worldwide (1). COPD is a debilitating disease and is associated
with poor health status and quality of life (2). COPD is also a very expensive disease,
costing society billions of dollars every year in direct and indirect expenditures (3,4).
COPD has been one of the fastest growing diseases in the world over the past three
decades (5). In the United States the age-adjusted mortality for COPD increased by
103% between 1970 and 2002. In stark contrast, mortality rates for heart disease,
stroke, and cancer decreased by 52%, 63%, and 3%, respectively, during the same
period of time (5). The future looks no better. Owing to a variety of different reasons
(e.g., aging population, the rising use of cigarettes especially in the developing
countries), the health burden of COPD will continue to rise over the next 20 years (6).
By 2020, COPD will be the third leading cause of mortality accounting for four to five
million deaths per year (and representing 7% of all deaths) and the fifth leading cause of
disability worldwide (7). Currently, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death and the
13th leading cause of disability (7). Although these data are clearly alarming, they are
likely a gross underestimate of the true health burden of COPD in society, because
reduced lung function contributes to morbidity and mortality related to ischemic heart
disease, stroke, osteoporosis, cachexia, and even cancer (8-10). In this chapter, we
review the epidemiology of COPD and its impact on society.