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COPD Facts COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.[2] In 1998, approximately 107,000 Americans died of COPD.[2] COPD's prevalence and death rate are rising. In 2020, COPD is projected to become the third leading cause of death in the United States.[2] COPD has a higher mortality rate than asthma (5,438 deaths from asthma in 1998 versus 107,000 deaths from COPD in 1998).[2,20] The highest increase in mortality has been in white women, as observed between 1960 and 1998.[2] An estimated 30 million Americans have COPD. However, only 16 million adult Americans have been diagnosed with disease.[1,4] In 2000, the annual cost to the nation for COPD was estimated to be approximately $30.4 billion. Health care expenditures accounted for $14.7 billion, and indirect costs (decreased income due to loss of work or premature death) were $15.7 billion.[2] |
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Chronic bronchitis is defined by the presence of a chronic cough and mucus production that continue for three months and occur during two successive years.[9] As the illness progresses, shortness of breath develops. Current or former smokers with symptoms of chronic bronchitis may experience progression of their disease to emphysema.[10] Years of smoking can cause irreversible destruction of the walls around the air sacs in the lungs, resulting in labored breathing. |
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