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Cough
Shortness of breath
Whooping cough
Dry cough
Wheezing
Chronic cough
Hoarse voice
Difficulty breathing
Phlegm
Whistling sound when breathing
Extreme fatigue
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
Lung damage from long-term smoking or smoke exposure. Airways become narrow, and lung tissue gets damaged, developing bubbles (blebs). COPD patients are also prone to lung infections.
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
The most crucial step in treating COPD is quitting smoking. Other medications include daily inhalers to open airways and antibiotics for infections. In severe cases, machines may be needed to supply oxygen or assist with breathing. Surgery may help remove damaged lung tissue.
Reviewed By:
Phillip Aguila, MD, MBA (Pulmonology, Critical Care)
Dr. Aguila graduated from West Virginia University School of Medicine. He has trained in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and Internal Medicine at Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann University at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He has served as Assistant Professor since 2010.
Eisaku Kamakura, MD (Pulmonology)
Dr. Kamakura graduated from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, School of Dentistry, and the Niigata University School of Medicine. He trained at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital and held positions in the Respiratory Medicine departments at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ome City General Hospital, and Musashino Red Cross Hospital. In 2021, he became the specially appointed assistant professor at the Department of General Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine.
Content updated on Feb 13, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Q.
What Is the Life Expectancy of Patients with COPD, Specifically in Stage 4?
A.
The life expectancy of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in stage 4, also known as end-stage COPD, is generally reduced compared to the general population. On average, patients in this stage may have a life expectancy ranging from 1 to 5 years, but this can vary significantly based on individual health factors, comorbidities, and the effectiveness of treatment.
References:
van Hirtum PV, Sprooten RTM, van Noord JA, van Vliet M, de Kruif MD. Long term survival after admission for COPD exacerbation: A comparison with the general population. Respir Med. 2018 Apr;137:77-82. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2018.02.015. Epub 2018 Feb 24. PMID: 29605217.
Shavelle RM, Paculdo DR, Kush SJ, Mannino DM, Strauss DJ. Life expectancy and years of life lost in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: findings from the NHANES III Follow-up Study. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2009;4:137-48. doi: 10.2147/copd.s5237. Epub 2009 Apr 15. PMID: 19436692; PMCID: PMC2672796.
Chen CZ, Shih CY, Hsiue TR, Tsai SH, Liao XM, Yu CH, Yang SC, Wang JD. Life expectancy (LE) and loss-of-LE for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Respir Med. 2020 Oct;172:106132. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2020.106132. Epub 2020 Aug 29. PMID: 32905891.
van Hirtum PV, Sprooten RTM, van Noord JA, van Vliet M, de Kruif MD. Long term survival after admission for COPD exacerbation: A comparison with the general population. Respir Med. 2018 Apr;137:77-82. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2018.02.015. Epub 2018 Feb 24. PMID: 29605217.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1Hurst, J. R., Anzueto, A., & Vestbo, J. (2017). Susceptibility to exacerbation in COPD. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(17)30307-7/abstractDurham, A. L., & Adcock, I. M. (2015). The relationship between COPD and lung cancer. Lung Cancer.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169500215300416Kirkham, P. A., & Barnes, P. J. (2013). Oxidative stress in COPD. Chest.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012369213604766