ABSTRACT
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined as a disease state characterized by the presence of airflow obstruction due to chronic bronchitis or emphysema; the airflow obstruction is generally progressive, may be accompanied by airway hyperreactivity, and may be partially reversible (1). Patients with asthma whose airflow obstruction is completely reversible are not considered to have COPD, nor are patients with airway obstruction due to diseases with known etiology or specific pathology, such as cystic fibrosis or bronchiolitis obliterans. The definition of COPD makes it difficult for the clinician or for the epidemiologist to confirm the diagnosis of COPD, particularly in Africa where equipment to perform lung function is generally not available.
