Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine

呼吸系统疾病给全球数亿人带来了负担。全世界有超过3.8亿人患有慢性呼吸系统疾病，如哮喘和慢性阻塞性肺病（COPD）。世界卫生组织（世卫组织）估计，2005年有400万人死于慢性呼吸道疾病，这些数字在未来十年内估计将增加30%。目前，肺炎和慢性阻塞性肺病是全球四大死亡原因中的两个，以及艾滋病毒/艾滋病和心血管疾病。在艾滋病毒/艾滋病患者中，结核病每年造成25万人死亡。此外，世卫组织最近的一项调查报告称，全世界近四分之一的死亡和疾病总负担可归因于环境风险因素。同样，慢性阻塞性肺病和下呼吸道感染等呼吸系统疾病也是导致死亡的主要原因之一。尽管人们知道吸烟是许多肺部疾病的主要危险因素，但统计数据显示，烟草流行在发展中国家正在增长，在西方仍然很高。鉴于既定疾病的难以对付的性质和新出现的威胁，例如过敏原的增加和潜在的全球禽流感大流行，呼吸医学的重要性从未如此重要。对临床医生、研究人员和其他参与呼吸医学的人来说，挑战在于了解该领域的最新进展。呼吸医学专家评论（ISSN1747-6348）提供了一个权威和集中的解决方案，为肺医学的所有领域的参与者提供评论和分析。覆盖范围包括以下关键领域：?新疗法和新兴疗法的前景?疾病流行病学?预防策略?慢性阻塞性肺病的各个方面，从患者自我管理到疾病和共病的全身效应?改进的诊断方法，包括成像技术、生物标志物和生理测试。?呼吸道感染和耐药性问题治疗进展?职业和环境因素?吸烟干预和戒烟方法的进展?特定人群的疾病和治疗问题，如儿童和老年人?呼吸重症监护?关于特定疾病领域的最新情况和进展，包括哮喘、艾滋病相关疾病、囊性纤维化、慢性阻塞性肺病和睡眠呼吸障碍发病率。呼吸医学专家评论提供了阻塞性、限制性、血管性和传染性呼吸疾病领域的国际领导人的评估和结构化评论。所有评论都要经过同行评审，并根据行业领先的标准和时间表制作，以确保为该领域的专业人士提供完整的解决方案。

Respiratory disease imposes a global burden affecting hundreds of millions of people. More than 380 million people worldwide suffer from chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 4 million deaths in 2005 were caused by chronic respiratory diseases, and these numbers are set to increase by an estimated 30% over the coming decade. Currently, pneumonia and COPD are two of the four leading causes of death worldwide, together with HIV/AIDS and cardiovascular disease. Among those with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis accounts for a quarter of a million deaths each year. Furthermore, a recent WHO survey reported that nearly a quarter of all deaths and of the total disease burden across the world can be attributed to environmental risk factors. Again, respiratory diseases such as COPD and lower respiratory infections were among the principal causes of death. Despite the fact that smoking is known to be the primary risk factor for many pulmonary diseases, statistics show that the tobacco epidemic is growing in the developing world and remains high in the West. Given the intractable nature of the established diseases and emerging threats, such as the rise in allergies and a potential global avian influenza pandemic, the importance of respiratory medicine has never been greater. The challenge for clinicians, researchers and others involved in respiratory medicine is to stay abreast of the latest developments in the field. Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine (ISSN 1747-6348) provides an authoritative and focused solution, delivering commentary and analysis for those involved in all areas of pulmonary medicine. Coverage will include the following key areas: ? Prospects for new and emerging therapeutics ? Epidemiology of disease ? Preventive strategies ? All aspects of COPD, from patient self-management to systemic effects of the disease and comorbidities ? Improved diagnostic methods, including imaging techniques, biomarkers and physiological tests. ? Advances in the treatment of respiratory infections and drug resistance issues ? Occupational and environmental factors ? Progress in smoking intervention and cessation methods ? Disease and treatment issues for defined populations, such as children and the elderly ? Respiratory intensive and critical care ? Updates on the status and advances of specific disease areas, including asthma, HIV/AIDS-related disease, cystic fibrosis, COPD and sleep-disordered breathing morbidity Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine provides evaluated and structured commentary from international leaders in the fields of obstructive, restrictive, vascular and infectious respiratory diseases. All reviews are subject to peer review and produced to industry leading standards and timelines to ensure a complete solution for professionals working in the field.