Review highlights the early origins of COPD and importance of prevention from childhood

A new article led by Rosa Faner, professor at the University of Barcelona and leader of Work Package 3 in the LungHealth4Life project, explores how chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can begin much earlier in life than commonly thought.

COPD is often seen as a disease that develops in adulthood due to smoking or long-term exposure to pollution. However, this article explores how risk factors such as genetics, early respiratory infections, poor nutrition and exposure to tobacco smoke or air pollution can influence how lungs develop and function over time. These early-life influences can increase the risk of developing COPD.

The authors reviewed existing research on lung function development from childhood to adulthood and found that there is no single  pathway to COPD:

• Some people are born with reduced lung function and remain below average throughout life.
• Others begin with normal lung function but experience a faster-than-usual decline with age.
• Some people with lower lung function in childhood may see improvements over time.

The review highlights how lung function is influenced by genetic and environmental factors, including how our genes interact with tobacco and pollution, nutrition and infections. The authors suggest that regular lung health checks and early detection strategies could help prevent COPD before it starts.

These findings support the aims of the LungHealth4Life project, which promotes lung health education and early checks from a young age, including in schools.

Read the article in the European Respiratory Review

Read a lay summary of this research by the European Lung Foundation

Learn more about the LungHealth4Life project