- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading
cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and results in an
economic and social burden that is both substantial and
increasing. - Prevalence and morbidity data greatly
underestimate the total burden of COPD because the disease is
usually not diagnosed until it is clinically apparent and
moderately advanced. See EPIDEMIOLOGY / PREVALENCE. See
EPIDEMIOLOGY / MORBIDITY. - In people aged 25-75 yrs in the USA,
the estimated prevalence of mild COPD (defined as forced
expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity
(FVC) <70% and FEV1 >80% predicted) was 6.9% and of moderate
COPD (defined as FEV1/FVC <79% and FEV1 ≤80% predicted) was
6.6%, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey (NHANES). See REFERENCES. - COPD is the fourth leading
cause of death in the USA and Europe, and COPD mortality in
females has more than doubled over the last 20 yrs. See
EPIDEMIOLOGY / MORTALITY. - COPD is a more costly disease than
asthma a