Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease A pattern of persistent respiratory symptoms (chronic bronchitis, chronic airway obstruction and emphysema) is termed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Most patients with COPD show the characteristics of mucus hypersecretion in the airways in the following ways:
■ The production of sputum;
■ Increased mucus in the lumen of the airways;
■ Hypertrophy of submucosal mucus-producing glands;
■ Goblet cell hyperplasia.