Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common, preventable, and treatable respiratory disorder characterized by persistent symptoms and progressive airflow limitation. This limitation results from a combination of small-airway disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), both driven by chronic inflammation from exposure to harmful particles or gases.The disease includes two main pathological entities: emphysema, marked by destruction of alveolar walls and...

COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that progressively worsen over time, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This cluster of diseases collectively leads to a gradual and irreversible decline in lung function over time.
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-lasting respiratory condition requiring continuous attention and care. It is a progressive lung disease that leads to breathing challenges due to airflow obstruction. It manifests as persistent respiratory symptoms and restricted airflow resulting from abnormalities in the airways and alveoli, usually due to long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases. COPD mainly consists of two primary conditions: emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) pathophysiology is intricate and multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of physiological processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for effectively managing and treating COPD. Here is an in-depth look at the critical elements in the pathophysiology of COPD:
Chronic Inflammation

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is defined as a heterogeneous lung condition marked by persistent respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and sputum production, caused by abnormalities in the airways that cause airflow obstruction.
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.

Understanding the variety of primary symptoms and systemic complications that characterize chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is crucial for healthcare professionals.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Factors affecting exercise performance at the 6-min walk test in long-COVID: a multicenter study from Italy.

Internal and emergency medicine·2026

Same author

Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis as clinical onset of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: A case report.

Modern rheumatology case reports·2026

Same author

Dyspnea and fatigue in Long-COVID: definition of risk factors and of DLCO-based phenotypes in a multicenter study of 765 patients from Italy.

Respiratory medicine·2026

Same author

Asthma and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Overlap Syndrome Identifies a Phenotype of Sleep Instability and Increased Psychological Burden.

Life (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same author

Women and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: Can we finally ask the right questions? The OSAF study.

Sleep medicine·2026

Same author

The autonomic burden in the Asthma-OSA Overlap syndrome.

Sleep medicine·2026

Same journal

Evaluating current bronchiectasis care in Italy according to the 2025 European respiratory society recommendations.

Therapeutic advances in respiratory disease·2026

Same journal

Decoding sarcoidosis chronicity through phenotypic profiling.

Therapeutic advances in respiratory disease·2026

Same journal

Impact of early therapeutic modality on 28-day mortality in immunocompromised patients with opportunistic pulmonary infections: a multicenter retrospective study.

Therapeutic advances in respiratory disease·2026

Same journal

Effects of dual bronchodilation on right ventricular function and troponin-I in newly diagnosed, moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a prospective real-world observational study.

Therapeutic advances in respiratory disease·2026

Same journal

Diagnostic sensitivity and safety of visceral pleural biopsy under semi-rigid medical thoracoscopy in patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusions: a retrospective study.

Therapeutic advances in respiratory disease·2026

Same journal

Clinical, hemodynamic, and safety outcomes of sotatercept in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a meta-analysis of randomized trials with time-to-event data.

Therapeutic advances in respiratory disease·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Generation of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Model in Mice by Repeated Ozone Exposure

Generation of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Model in Mice by Repeated Ozone Exposure

Published on: August 25, 2017

COPD: a multifactorial systemic disease.

Alice Huertas¹, Paolo Palange

¹Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

Therapeutic Advances in Respiratory Disease

|March 25, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasingly viewed as a systemic disease, not just a lung condition. Emerging evidence suggests various factors beyond inflammation contribute to its widespread effects on the body.

More Related Videos

Alternative Therapy for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Moving Cupping Along Meridians

Alternative Therapy for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Moving Cupping Along Meridians

Published on: September 27, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Generation of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Model in Mice by Repeated Ozone Exposure

Generation of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Model in Mice by Repeated Ozone Exposure

Published on: August 25, 2017

Alternative Therapy for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Moving Cupping Along Meridians

Alternative Therapy for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Moving Cupping Along Meridians

Published on: September 27, 2024

Area of Science:

Pulmonology
Systemic Diseases
Inflammation Research

Background:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) traditionally viewed as a lung disorder.
COPD is linked to systemic issues like renal, hormonal, and bone abnormalities.
The exact relationship between pulmonary and systemic manifestations remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To review innovative hypotheses on COPD's extrapulmonary manifestations.
To explore COPD as a systemic disease rather than solely pulmonary.
To discuss potential causes of systemic effects in COPD patients.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent human and animal studies.
Analysis of emerging evidence on emphysema and vascular disease.
Exploration of genetic, epigenetic, and immunological factors.

Main Results:

Systemic abnormalities in COPD are well-documented.
Inflammation may not be the sole driver of systemic effects.
Emphysema shows characteristics of a vascular disease.

Conclusions:

COPD, particularly emphysema, may be a disease with significant systemic involvement.
Factors like repair failure, bone marrow issues, and genetics contribute to systemic manifestations.
A paradigm shift towards viewing COPD as a systemic disease is supported by new evidence.