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Related Concept Videos

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease01:24

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-I: Introduction01:20

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 I: Introduction01:23

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...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.01:25

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:
COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features01:20

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 IV: Clinical Manifestations01:19

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is a long-term condition marked by persistent and only partially reversible airflow limitation. It involves two overlapping conditions—chronic bronchitis and emphysema—which often co-appear but differ in dominant symptoms and underlying mechanisms.Chronic Bronchitis FeaturesChronic bronchitis presents with a persistent productive cough and thick, sometimes purulent mucus due to airway inflammation, enlarged mucus glands, and goblet cell...

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Alternative Therapy for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Moving Cupping Along Meridians
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The Disability burden of COPD.

Julia Thornton Snider1, John A Romley, Ken S Wong

  • 1Precision Health Economics, Los Angeles, CA, USA. julia@precisionhealtheconomics.com

COPD
|June 23, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) significantly reduces employment and increases disability benefit claims for older Americans. This condition impacts economic stability more than many other serious health issues.

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Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Health Economics
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects millions and causes significant mortality.
  • The economic impact of COPD on employment and disability benefits is not well understood.
  • Previous research has focused on COPD's morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the impact of COPD on employment prospects for Americans aged 51 and older.
  • To determine the association between COPD and the likelihood of receiving federal disability benefits.
  • To compare COPD's economic impact to that of other major health conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal regression analysis was performed using data from the Health and Retirement Study.
  • The study controlled for initial health status and various sociodemographic factors.
  • Employment likelihood and receipt of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • COPD was associated with an 8.6 percentage point decrease in employment likelihood (OR=0.58).
  • COPD increased the likelihood of receiving SSDI by 3.9 percentage points (OR=2.52) and SSI by 1.7 percentage points (OR=2.87).
  • The impact of COPD on employment and disability benefits was greater than that of stroke, heart disease, cancer, hypertension, and diabetes.

Conclusions:

  • COPD significantly hinders employment opportunities for older adults.
  • COPD is strongly associated with increased reliance on federal disability insurance programs (SSDI and SSI).
  • COPD imposes a substantial economic burden on American society by reducing workforce participation and increasing disability claims.