CONTENTS The Guest Editor vii Preface viii Introduction ix 1. Definition and differential diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary 1 disease N.M. Siafakas 2. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: symptoms and signs 7 P.M.A. Calverley, D. Georgopoulos 3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: investigations and assessment 24 of severity G.J. Gibson, W. MacNee 4. Epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 41 I. Annesi-Maesano 5. The natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 71 D.S. Postma, H.M. Boezen 6. Genetic susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 84 E.G. Tzortzaki, N.M. Siafakas 7. Oxidative stress and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 100 W. MacNee 8. Cells and mediators of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 130 P.J. Barnes, M.G. Cosio 9. Pathology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 159 M. Saetta, G. Turato, W. Timens, P.K. Jeffery 10. Pathophysiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 177 R. Rodriguez-Roisin, W. MacNee 11. Respiratory and skeletal muscles in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 201 G. Gayan-Ramirez, N. Koulouris, J. Roca, M. Decramer 12. Systemic effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 224 E.F.M. Wouters, A.M.W.J. Schols, B. Celli The European Respiratory Monograph Number 38 December 2006 Contents MON 38.qxd 18/12/2006 09:32 Page 1