COPD is a common, preventable and treatable chronic airway COPD is a common, preventable and treatable chronic airway disease characterised by persistent airflow limitation and associated respiratory symptoms; pathological changes, mainly airway and/or alveolar abnormalities, are usually associated with significant exposure to noxious particles or gases; genetic predisposition, abnormal inflammatory responses, and a wide range of host factors associated with lung abnormalities participate in the pathogenesis; and severe comorbidities may affect disease manifestations and morbidity and mortality.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) predicts that by 2060 the number of deaths from COPD and related diseases will exceed 5.4 million per year.

Spirometry is the most effective method for detecting early COPD

Neither X-ray nor arterial blood gas analysis can detect COPD when shortness of breath has not progressed to a severe level; only spirometry can detect COPD in the early stages of the disease.

Spirometry can detect COPD 5-10 years earlier than other methods.