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. Marfan syndrome and other connective tissue disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, have been associated with its development. Environmental factors (eg, pollution), alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, intravenous drug use, immunodeficiency syndromes (eg, HIV), and vasculitis syndromes have also been linked to COPD.
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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