Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although its prevalance is still increasing, early detection is difficult and no simple test is present with high sensitivity and specificity. Usually the clinical diagnosis of COPD can not be made until extensive and irreperabl damage has occured. Smoking rates appear to provide a useful method of estimating total COPD prevalance, but not the total number of people diagnosed. As smoking is the most important issue in avoiding the development of severe forms of COPD, spirometric screening of smokers can be used for the early diagnosis at preclinical phase of the diseases. Chronic cough, dyspnea and sputum production, evidence of emphysema on imaging, some inflammatory mediators in induced sputum are the other factors that supports the diagnosis of COPD. Early detection of the disease is of little value unless some form of effective intervention can be offered. This may not always prevent the progression of illness, but can still be applied to limit its impact on the patient’s life.