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Abstract
Approximately 85% of all cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are attributed to cigarette smoking. The only other established risk factor for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that is of comparable importance is the deficiency of alpha1‐antitrypsin, a rare genetic defect that is present in less than 1% of all cases. Other risk factors are not well characterized in the literature. This article describes one patient without a significant smoking history and a normal alpha1‐antitrypsin level that developed severe early‐onset emphysema and gives a brief discussion about other genetic and environmental risk factors for the development of emphysema.
| Abbreviations | ||
| A1AT: | = | Alpha 1‐Antitrypsin |
| AHR: | = | Airway Hyperresponsiveness |
| AP: | = | Anteroposterior |
| COPD: | = | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease |
| CT: | = | Computed Tomography |
| DLCO: | = | Diffusing Capacity of Carbon Monoxide |
| ELISA: | = | Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay |
| FEV1: | = | Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second |
| FVC: | = | Forced Vital Capacity |
| HIV: | = | Human Immunodeficiency Virus |
| PA: | = | Posterior–Anterior |
| RV: | = | Residual Volume |
| TLC: | = | Total Lung Capacity |