Pathobiologic mechanisms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Tam, Anthony; Sin, Don D · Med Clin North Am · 2012

review · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

COPD is a worldwide public health problem that reduces the quality of life. The exact pathways by which CS and other environmental toxins produce COPD are not known. Currently, the leading candidates are (1) the protease-antiprotease hypothesis, (2) the Dutch hypothesis, (3) the British hypothesis, and the (4) autoimmunity hypothesis. Given the heterogeneity of the disease (and phenotypes), it is probably unrealistic that one pathway will fully explain COPD pathophysiology.

Medical subject headings