Epidemiology of Comorbidities in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is defined by the Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) as a common preventable and treatable disease, which is characterized by a persistent airflow limitation that is usually progressive and associated with an enhanced chronic inflammatory response of the airways and lungs to noxious particles or gases. Since 2010, COPD is globally the third leading cause of death. Each year, approximately 200 000 to 300 000 people die in Europe because of COPD. The morbidity, economic and social impact of COPD is substantial and increasing.2 Among respiratory diseases, COPD is the leading cause of lost work days and it has an estimated cost of 3 to 4% (or 38.6 billion €) of the total health care budget in the European Union.