Occupational chronic bronchitis: does it mean anything?

A good deal of ambiguity exists surrounding the term chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Although much information has been uncovered concerning cellular epithelial mechanisms, the inflammatory response, and airflow obstruction, considerable research still needs to be conducted to offer better diagnostic categorization and definition of the role of occupational and environmental agents in the development of obstructive lung disease. This article will review these ambiguities of definition, as well as difficulties in estimating disease prevalence. The pathology of occupational bronchitis as well as occupational etiologic factors, including coal dust, will be reviewed. The significance of airways obstruction as a prognostic factor for future morbidity and its relevance for prevention are discussed.