[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as a systemic disease].

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) involves progressive airway obstruction, often linked to smoking and lung inflammation.
• Epidemiological studies reveal significant associations between impaired lung function and extrapulmonary comorbidities like cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
• Systemic inflammation is hypothesized as a key mediator connecting COPD to its extrapulmonary manifestations, though mechanisms require further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the need for comprehensive COPD management beyond lung function.
• To emphasize the role of systemic inflammation in COPD's extrapulmonary effects.
• To advocate for the development and implementation of multimodal treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

• Review of epidemiological data linking COPD to comorbidities.
• Discussion of the BODE score as a multidimensional COPD severity assessment tool.
• Conceptual framework for a systemic disease approach to COPD treatment.

Main Results:

• COPD is associated with significant extrapulmonary comorbidities.
• The BODE score offers a more holistic assessment of COPD severity.
• A systemic perspective is crucial for understanding and treating COPD.

Conclusions:

• COPD should be viewed as a systemic disease with pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations.
• Pharmacological, physical, and rehabilitative therapies are essential for comprehensive COPD management.
• Current clinical guidelines lack integrated multimodal treatment regimens for COPD.