Definition and Nomenclature of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Time for Its Revision

Abstract

Attemptstodefineconceptsandthings datebacktothetimeofAristotle,around 2,400yearsago,whenheproposedthata definitionshouldstatetheessentialnature orbeingofsomething(1).However,this abstractconcept(2–4)maynottranslate welltomedicalpractice,whereprecise definitionsareneededtocommunicateto colleaguesandpatientsandtoconduct epidemiological,clinical,translational,and discoveryresearchinthepresenceofnew evidencebroughtaboutbyscientific progress.SinceAristotle’sinitial discussions,thelast24centurieshave witnessedtheappearanceandevolutionof definitionsofmanythingsthatsurround us,includingdiseases(5).Inmedicine, accurateandprecisedefinitions(nosology) andclassificationofdiseases(taxonomy) allowthinking,speaking,andwritingabout observablephenomenainan understandableandunifiedway.