About COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, progressive, respiratory disease that affects over 480 million people worldwide ⁽¹⁾. COPD is currently the 4th leading cause of death, accounting for 5% of all deaths globally⁽²⁾. In the UK, COPD affects 1.4 million people, resulting in 30.000 deaths every year⁽³⁾. COPD is commonly caused by tobacco smoking, but childhood infections, air pollution and indoor air pollution are increasingly recognised as important risk factors for developing COPD. Air pollution is a particular problem in low- and middle-income countries where COPD has accelerated over the last decade⁽¹⁾.

People who have COPD may feel breathless, cough or produce phlegm from their chest. Some people experience acute exacerbations where their symptoms get much worse. Acute exacerbations of COPD currently account for 1 in 8 hospital admissions in the UK and are the main cause of death from COPD.

Despite the devastating impact of COPD there are currently no known cures for COPD. However, there have been several exciting new developments in COPD treatments including biologics targeting different types of airway inflammation.

At COPD 2025 we want to bring UK researchers and health professionals together to discuss advances in the field of COPD. To build a network of new collaborations focused on advancing COPD care in the UK.

1. Boers E, Barrett M, Su JG, Benjafield A V., Sinha S, Kaye L, et al. Global Burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Through 2050. JAMA Netw Open [Internet]. 2023 Dec 7 [cited 2025 Feb 7];6(12):e2346598. Available from:
   https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10704283/
2. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [Internet]. [cited 2025 Feb 21]. Available from:
   https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(copd)
3. Asthma, Lung UK. COPD survey 2022. [cited 2025 Feb 23]; Available from:
   https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/