5th January 2024

Aetiology

Tobacco smoking is the main risk factor for COPD as it is responsible for 40-70% of cases due to inflammatory response, cilia dysfunction and oxidative injury. Other risk factors are air pollution, occupational exposure to dust, chemical agents, and fumes. In patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, oxidative stress and imbalance in proteases and antiproteases are important factors in pathogenesis of COPD. Any process that influences optimum lung growth and lung function can potentially increase the risk of developing.