Brazilian studies on pulmonary function in COPD patients: what are the gaps?

ABSTRACT:

Background

COPD is a major cause of death and morbidity worldwide, and is characterized by persistent airflow obstruction. The evaluation of obstruction is critically dependent on sensitive methods for lung-function testing. A wide body of knowledge has been accumulated in recent years showing that these methods have been significantly refined and seems promising for detection of early disease.

Objectives

This review focuses on research on pulmonary function analysis in COPD performed in Brazil during this century.

Materials and methods

The literature was searched using a systematic search strategy limited to English language studies that were carried out in Brazil from the year 2000 onward, with study objectives that included a focus on lung function.

Results

SUBMITTER: Lopes AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4946858 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature