The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine

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Original Article
Korean J Med. 2009;77(4):383-400.
만성폐쇄성폐질환의 병인과 병태생리
유 철 규
Pathogenesis and pathophysiology of COPD
Chul-Gyu Yoo


Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a slowly progressed disease characterized by chronic irreversible airway obstruction with increased airway resistance and loss of elastic recoil by lung parenchymal destruction. COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. COPD is defined as a preventable and treatable disease with some significant extrapulmonary effects that may contribute to the severity in individual patients. Pathological changes characteristic of COPD are found in the proximal airways, peripheral airways, lung parenchyma, and pulmonary vasculature, showing chronic inflammation, and structural changes resulting from repeated injury and repair mostly caused by inhaled cigarette smoke. This pathological changes lead to airway trapping and progressive airway limitation. (Korean J Med 77:383-400, 2009)

Keywords :Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Pathogenesis, Physiology

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