Table 3 Indicators for COPD. These indicators are related to the presence of COPD and should ideally be present in animal models and available for analysis.
Indicator | Human features | Experimental approach |
|---|---|---|
History of exposure to risk factors | Tobacco smoke. Occupational dusts and chemicals. Indoor / outdoor air pollution | Exposure-based experimental protocol |
Airflow obstruction | Decrease in FEV1 | Lung function tests |
Hypersecretion | Chronic sputum production | Functional and morphological assessment of hypersecretion |
Cough | Chronic intermittent or persistent cough | Cough assessment |
Dyspnea | Progressive / Persistent / worse on exercise / worse during respiratory infections | Assessment of hypoxemia |
Emphysema | Progressive impairment of lung function | Morphological analysis of airspace enlargement |