Preface

It is indeed heartening to note the ardent interest in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and the progress that has been achieved in the management of this disorder in recent years. A decade or so ago, many clinicians were described as having an unnecessarily 'nihilistic' view of COPD. This has certainly changed over the years, and the contributions that we have received from numerous distinguished sources as well as the keen anticipation for the publication of this book are testament to this observation.

The 'open-access' format of this book provides a platform for scientists and clinicians from around the world to present their knowledge of the disease and up-to-date scientific findings, and avails the reader to a multitude of topics: from recent discoveries in the basic sciences to state-of-the-art interventions on COPD. This clearly reflects the wide-ranging academic interest in this disease. Indeed, those of us privileged to have a part in the management of patients with COPD will have known that this disease challenges the whole gamut of Respiratory Medicine – necessarily pushing frontiers in pulmonary function (and exercise) testing, radiologic imaging, pharmaceuticals, chest physiotherapy, intensive care with respiratory therapy, bronchology and thoracic surgery. In addition, multi-disciplinary inputs from other specialty fields such as cardiology, neuro-psychiatry, geriatric medicine and palliative care are often necessary for the comprehensive management of COPD. The recent progress and a multi-disciplinary approach in dealing with COPD certainly bode well for the future. Nonetheless, the final goal and ultimate outcome is in improving the health status and survival of our patients. With that in mind, I sincerely hope that this assemblage of subject reviews and novel insights on COPD will be of benefit for our readers and the patients they are helping.

#### **Dr Kian-Chung Ong**

MBBS, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin), FCCP (USA) Specialist - Respiratory Medicine, Mt Elizabeth Medical Centre Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) National Leader President, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Association Singapore

**Part 1** 

**Basic Science** 
