COPD: progressive, irreversible chronic airway flow limitation due to epithelial injury

smoking cessation slows progression, treatment improves QoL

• Chronic bronchitis
• Emphysema

demographics

Increases w/ age (45+) w/ prevalence of 4.8% in 2017-2018. Higher in Aboriginal + Torres Strait Islander. Highest in lower SES areas, but remoteness does not have relationship.

Aetiology

• 90% Smoking

• air pollution

• alpha 1 AT def

• genetic

• immune, idiopathic

• Pathogenesis