| The overlap syndrome of asthma and COPD: what are its features and how important is it? | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19638566 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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There is a need to re-evaluate the concept of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as separate conditions, and to consider situations when they may coexist, or when one condition may evolve into the other. Epidemiological studies show that in older people with obstructive airway disease, as many as half or more may have overlapping diagnoses of asthma and COPD (overlap syndrome). These people are typically excluded from current therapy trials, which limit the generalisability of these trials, and this presents a problem for evidence-based guidelines for obstructive airway diseases. Studying overlap syndrome may shed light on the mechanisms of COPD development. Overlap syndrome is recognised by the coexistence of increased variability of airflow in a patient with incompletely reversible airway obstruction. Patients typically have inflammatory features that resemble COPD, with increased airway neutrophilia, as well as features of airway wall remodelling. Overlap syndrome can develop when there is accelerated decline in lung function, or incomplete lung growth, or both. The risk factors for these events are shared, such that increasing age, bronchial hyper-responsiveness, tobacco smoke exposure, asthma and lower respiratory infections/exacerbations are significant risk factors for both incomplete lung growth and accelerated loss of lung function. Studying these events may offer new insights into the mechanisms and treatment of obstructive airway diseases. |
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Authors:
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P G Gibson; J L Simpson |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Thorax Volume: 64 ISSN: 1468-3296 ISO Abbreviation: Thorax Publication Date: 2009 Aug |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2009-07-29 Completed Date: 2009-12-22 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0417353 Medline TA: Thorax Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 728-35 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Hunter Mail Centre, Newcastle, NSW 2310, Australia. peter.gibson@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Asthma / complications, physiopathology* Female Forced Expiratory Volume / physiology Humans Male Middle Aged Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / complications, physiopathology* Vital Capacity / physiology |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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