COPD exacerbations are related to poor air quality in Innsbruck: A retrospective pilot study

Chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a frequent yet preventable disease caused by smoking and pollutants.1 In 2016, nearly 6% of all-cause mortality in Austria was related to respiratory diseases, leading to a severe economic burden.2,3 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COPD is now the third leading cause of death worldwide, and approximately one-quarter of the Austrian population aged over 40 is expected to suffer from COPD.4 –6

Source: Heart and Lung - April 6, 2021 Category: Intensive Care Authors: Anna Boehm, Magdalena Aichner, Thomas Sonnweber, Ivan Tancevski, Thomas Fischer, Sabina Sahanic, Michael Joannidis, Guenter Weiss, Alex Pizzini, Judith Loeffler-Ragg Source Type: research