Prognosis of COPD: Variable. Good prognosis depends on early diagnosis (i.e. on extent of lung damage). ...see also Overview of COPD
Deaths from COPD: 124,181 annual deaths; 5.2% of deaths (CDC/1999).
Cause of death rank: 5th top cause of death in 1999 is "Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease" (CDC)
Estimated mortality rate for COPD from prevalence and deaths statistics:
Complications of COPD may include:
Complications of COPD from the Diseases Database include:
See also complications of COPD.
Most patients with COPD have some degree of reversible airways obstruction. It is therefore likely that, at first, treatment will lead to some improvement or stability in lung function. But as COPD progresses, almost all signs and symptoms except cough and sputum production tend to show a gradual worsening. This trend can show fluctuations, but over the course of 4 or 5 years, a slow deterioration becomes evident.
Repeated bouts of increased cough and sputum production disable most patients and recovery from coughing attacks may take a long time. Patients with severe lung damage sleep in a semi-sitting position because they are unable to breathe when they lie down. They often complain that they awaken during the night feeling "choked-up," and they need to sit up to cough.
Survival of patients with COPD is closely related to the level of their lung function when they are diagnosed and the rate at which they lose this function. Overall, the median survival is about 10 years for patients with COPD who have lost approximately two-thirds of their normally expected lung function at diagnosis. (Source: excerpt from Course of COPD: NHLBI)
COPD gets gradually worse over time. At first there may be only a mild shortness of breath and occasional coughing. Then a chronic cough develops with clear, colorless sputum. As the disease progresses, the cough becomes more frequent and more and more effort is needed to get air into and out of the lungs. In later stages of the disease, the heart may be affected. Eventually death occurs when the function of the lungs and heart is no longer adequate to deliver oxygen to the body's organs and tissues. (Source: excerpt from What is COPD: NHLBI)
The following are statistics from various sources about deaths related to COPD:
The 'prognosis' of COPD usually refers to the likely outcome of COPD. The prognosis of COPD may include the duration of COPD, chances of complications of COPD, probable outcomes, prospects for recovery, recovery period for COPD, survival rates, death rates, and other outcome possibilities in the overall prognosis of COPD. Naturally, such forecast issues are by their nature unpredictable.
What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:
Next articles:
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Search Specialists by State and City
By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use. Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own medical team. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns you may have - please contact your physician or health care professional for all your medical needs. Please see our Terms of Use.
Copyright © 2009 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved.
Although post-surgery hospital time is as little as one week for some lung reduction patients, the full benefits of surgery may not be seen for...
"I authorize the release of any medical or other information necessary to process this claim." Do you recognize these words? You should, if...
Sexual contact can sometimes result in problems. An unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases may be some of those consequences. But by...
Stress takes its toll by making us anxious, depressed and not able to function as fully as we'd like. What many don't know is that stress can...