COPD: Passive smoking, childhood deficits important
KEY POINT
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects 10.1% of people worldwide and has been linked to passive smoke exposure, according to a new analysis. In addition, poor airway function in infancy is now recognized as a risk factor for airflow obstruction in adulthood.
SOURCES
Wouters EF. COPD: a chronic and overlooked pulmonary disease. Lancet. 2007;370:715–6.
Buist SA et al. International variation in the prevalence of COPD (the BOLD study): a population-based prevalence study. Lancet. 2007;370:741–50.
Yin P et al. Passive smoking exposure and risk of COPD among adults in China: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study. Lancet. 2007;370:751–7.
Stern DA et al. Poor airway function in early infancy and lung function by age 22 years: a non-selective longitudinal cohort study. Lancet. 2007;370:758–64.
