TB meets COPD: An emerging global co-morbidity in human lung disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is emerging as the third largest cause of human mortality worldwide after heart disease and stroke. There is growing evidence of a co-morbidity between COPD and tuberculosis (TB), the leading cause of death globally due to respiratory infection. Thus, the increase in the burden of COPD over the coming decades, as predicted by the World Health Organisation, is of concern with respect to the control of TB. A better understanding of the interactions between these two diseases is essential for the design of complementary preventive and control strategies.

Source: Tuberculosis - September 2, 2015 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Ronan F. O’Toole, Shakti D. Shukla, E.Haydn Walters Tags: Review Source Type: research