Background Numerous studies have demonstrated associations between genetic markers
and COPD, but results have been inconsistent. One reason may be heterogeneity in disease …

Although a hereditary contribution to emphysema has been long suspected, severe α1-
antitrypsin deficiency remains the only conclusively proven genetic risk factor for chronic …

Rationale: Patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have
varying levels of disability despite similar levels of lung function. This variation may reflect …

Rationale: Emphysema has considerable variability in the severity and distribution of
parenchymal destruction throughout the lungs. Upper lobe–predominant emphysema has …

Airflow limitation in COPD patients is not fully reversible. However, there may be large
variability in bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR) among COPD patients, and familial …

The principal determining factors influencing the development of the airway disease and
emphysema components of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have not been …

Background There is notable heterogeneity in the clinical presentation of patients with
COPD. To characterise this heterogeneity, we sought to identify subgroups of smokers by …

Rationale: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airflow
limitation, is a disorder with high phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. Pulmonary …

COPD is a highly prevalent disorder that results from the interplay of genetic susceptibility
and environmental exposures. Over the past 2 decades, significant technological advances …

Rationale: Emphysema is a heritable trait that occurs in smokers with and without chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. Emphysema occurs in distinct pathologic patterns, but the …