Chronic obstructive disease and comorbidities (literature review)

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a pulmonary disease characterized by irreversible airway obstruction. Systemic involvement of COPD, as well as interactions between COPD and its comorbidities justify the description of chronic systemic inflammatory syndrome. Most patients with COPD have at least one comorbid condition that further complicates the development and management of the disease. The most common comorbidities encountered in association with COPD are cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, osteoporosis, cachexia, anxiety and depression, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD), bronchiectasis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Diagnosis and assessment of COPD severity can be difficult in the presence of comorbid conditions, so assessment of lung, cardiovascular and metabolic function, as well as the level of inflammatory circulating markers (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen), could help to establish the clinical concept. The presence of comorbidity should not change the treatment of COPD, and comorbidity should be treated according to normal standards, regardless of the presence of COPD. When COPD is part of a multi-morbidity care plan, care should be taken to ensure simplicity of treatment and to minimize polypharmacy. This review article of literature reflects an overview of the COPD comorbidities, as well as their influence on the quality of life and prognosis