The primary cause of COPD is exposure to tobacco smoke. Overall, tobacco smoking accounts for as much as 90% of COPD risk. However, COPD does occur in individuals who have never smoked. Environmental factors (eg, pollution), alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, intravenous drug use, immunodeficiency syndromes (eg, HIV), and vasculitis syndromes have also been linked to COPD. In addition, connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome have been associated.
Marfan syndrome is an autosomal dominant inherited disease of type I collagen, characterized by abnormal length of the extremities, subluxation of the lenses, and cardiovascular abnormality. Pulmonary abnormalities, including emphysema, have been described in approximately 10% of patients.
For more on the etiology of COPD, read here.
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Cite this: Fast Five Quiz: Can You Properly Identify and Treat COPD? - Medscape - Sep 30, 2014.
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