Hanyang Med Rev.  2005 Nov;25(4):22-31.

Risk Factors of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Park SK

Abstract

Defining risk factors obviously is important in establishing strategies for prevention and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). Much evidence concerning risk factors for COPD comes from cross-sectional and longitudinal studies that identify causal associations rather than cause-effect relationship, and therefore, current understanding of risk factors for COPD is incomplete, yet. However, identification of cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor revealed to be a cause and leads to smoking cessation programs, which are key ingredients of COPD prevention. Influences of gender, genes other than alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, airway hyperresponsiveness, occupational dusts, fumes, chemicals, childhood pulmonary infection and socioeconomic status to the development of COPD have been suggested as possible risk factors.

Keyword

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Risk factor

MeSH Terms

Dust
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive*
Risk Factors*
Smoking
Smoking Cessation
Social Class
Dust