Co-morbidities of COPD in primary care: frequency, relation to COPD, and treatment consequences.
BACKGROUND
In the Western world, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is predominantly caused by long-term smoking, which results in pulmonary inflammation that is often associated with systemic inflammation. A number of co-morbid conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, muscle wasting, type 2 diabetes and asthma, may coexist with COPD; these and other co-morbidities not directly related to COPD are major causes of excess morbidity and mortality.


OBJECTIVE
This review sets out to explore the most frequent co-morbidities in COPD and their implications for treatment.


METHODS
Review of the literature on co-morbidities of COPD.


RESULTS
Co-morbidities are frequent, but often remain undiagnosed in the COPD patient. In order to provide the best possible care for people with COPD, the physician should be aware of all potential co-morbidities that may arise, and the critical role that effective management of these co-morbidities can play in improving patient outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased awareness of the potential co-morbidities of COPD, although potentially adding to the general practitioner's work burden, may provide insights into this difficult disease state and possibly improve each individual's prospects for effective management.
van der Molen
Thys
T
Department of General Practice, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands. t.van.der.molen@med.umcg.nl
D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy