International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Impact of comorbidities on COPD

COPD is a progressive respiratory condition often accompanied by various comorbidities that significantly affect patient outcomes. It is estimated that 80% of COPD patients are likely to have at least one comorbidity. An increasing number of people in any aging population will suffer from multi-morbidity, defined as the presence of two or more chronic conditions, and COPD is present in most multi-morbid patients. The systemic involvement in patients with COPD, as well as the interactions between COPD and its comorbidities, justify the description of chronic systemic inflammatory syndrome.