[The continuum of COPD and cardiovascular risk: A global scenario of disease].

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious public health problem in our country. COPD is a treatable and preventable disease which is underdiagnosed. The EPISCAN study revealed a prevalence of 10.2% in Spain between individuals of 40-80 years, with 73% underdiagnosis. In Primary Care occupies 8.5% of all queries with a high economic impact. These patients exhibit some degree of systemic inflammation characterized by increased plasma levels of some inflammatory mediators such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, CRP and TNF, which are also related to endothelial disorders and arteriosclerosis. In the continuum of COPD, comorbidities most frequently appear are: ischemic heart disease, heart failure, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, renal failure, osteoporosis, myopathy, anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment, malnutrition, anemia and lung cancer.