Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Abstract

This article summarizes the morbidity and mortality associated with COPD and was created from a presentation given at the 130th AAIM Annual Meeting. The author reviews what most medical directors already know about COPD, but with particular attention paid to the Pulmonary Function Tests dealing with spirometry. Underwriters and medical directors need to understand the three basic measurements of spirometry (FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75), as well as the significance of the FEV1/FVC ratio, in establishing an applicant as having an obstructive or restrictive impairment.

Keywords: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; COPD; lung disease; morbidity.; mortality; pulmonary function.