title: [Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Impact and exacerbations].
abstract: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease constitutes a medical and social problem of great magnitude. The progressive and chronic evolution of this disease is often worsened by periods when its symptoms increase, particularly coughing, dyspnea, and the quantity and purulence of a patient's spittle. These episodes during which symptoms increase are what we refer to as acute crises. The majority of these acute crises are produced by bronchial infections and they have an important effect on a patient's quality of life and on the evolution of a patient's illness.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neumología, Institut Clínic de Pneumologia i Cirurgia Toràcica (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clinic, Barcelona.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miravitlles
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology