[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease--the range of the problem, clinical stages].

The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases worldwide, as well as in Poland. About 10% of adult population is suffering from COPD. COPD occurs mainly in smokers who are older than forty years. Diagnosis of COPD in case of many patients is not properly established. It refers mainly the patients in a mild or a moderate clinical stage. One-fourth of patients with COPD is suffering from a severe or an extremely severe clinical stage of COPD. When untreated, COPD is a fast progressing disorder, leading to respiratory disability and premature death. Therapy of COPD is related to the clinical stage of disease.