Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Turn of Century

Summary

The article reviews information on the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), from the domestic andinternational sources. Significance of the disease has recently increased, in the US it becomes the fourth most frequentcause of death. Pathogenesis of the disease is different from the bronchial asthma, though in about 10% of patientsboth diseases can occur simultaneously. The article brings basic pathological and pathophysiological differencesbetween both types of disease and it describes results of functional tests in relation to the most common internationalstandards of the diagnostics and treatment of COPD. The most recent definition of COPD, elaborated by specialistsassociated in the Global initiative for COPD (=GOLD), stresses the abnormal reaction to the chronic inhalation ofparticles. Reviewed are also mechanisms of the effect of modern bronchodilatators – long acting beta 2 -agonists,permanently conflicting views on the use of corticosteroids, and on the surgical treatment of COPD. Promisingmethod appears the treatment with long-lasting anticholinergic drugs or the attempt to affect mediator antagonist bee.g. leucotrien D4 (LTD4) and the use inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4.

Key words:
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pathogenesis, diagnostics, treatment.