The etiologic origins for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

COPD, characterized by long-term poorly irreversible airway limitation and persistent respiratory symptoms, has resulted in enormous challenges to human health worldwide, with increasing rates of prevalence, death, and disability. Although its origin was thought to be in the interactions of genetic with environmental factors, the effects of environmental factors on the disease during different life stages remain little known. Without clear mechanisms and radical cure for it, early screening and prevention of COPD seem to be important. In this review, we will discuss the etiologic origins for poor lung function and COPD caused by specific adverse effects during corresponding life stages, as well as try to find new insights and potential prevention strategies for this disease.

Keywords:

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• COPD
• early origins
• risk factors
• air pollution
• cigarette smoking

Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81460007) and the Fund for Applied Basic Research in Yunnan Province, China (2013FZ182).

Authors contributions

All authors contributed toward data analysis, drafting and critically revising the paper and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.