Enriched Systemic Biomarkers in Symptomatic Unobstructed Smokers: Moving Forward?

[摘要] The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) report¹ defines COPD as “a common, preventable and treatable disease that is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation that is due to airway and/or alveolar abnormalities usually caused by significant exposure to noxious particles or gases.” After 20 years, this is the first time that the presence of chronic respiratory symptoms is underlined in the definition of COPD. Therefore, the GOLD report acknowledges that the presence of fixed airflow limitation without associated persistent respiratory symptoms does not necessarily reflect that COPD is present, assuming that other causes of airflow limitation have been ruled out.

[学科分类] 呼吸医学