呼吸系統疾病給全球數億人帶來了負擔。全世界有超過3.8億人患有慢性呼吸系統疾病，如哮喘和慢性阻塞性肺病（COPD）。世界衛生組織（世衛組織）估計，2005年有400萬人死于慢性呼吸道疾病，這些數字在未來十年內估計將增加30%。目前，肺炎和慢性阻塞性肺病是全球四大死亡原因中的兩個，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，結核病每年造成25萬人死亡。此外，世衛組織最近的一項調查報告稱，全世界近四分之一的死亡和疾病總負擔可歸因于環境風險因素。同樣，慢性阻塞性肺病和下呼吸道感染等呼吸系統疾病也是導致死亡的主要原因之一。盡管人們知道吸煙是許多肺部疾病的主要危險因素，但統計數據顯示，煙草流行在發展中國家正在增長，在西方仍然很高。鑒于既定疾病的難以對付的性質和新出現的威脅，例如過敏原的增加和潛在的全球禽流感大流行，呼吸醫學的重要性從未如此重要。對臨床醫生、研究人員和其他參與呼吸醫學的人來說，挑戰在于了解該領域的最新進展。呼吸醫學專家評論（ISSN1747-6348）提供了一個權威和集中的解決方案，為肺醫學的所有領域的參與者提供評論和分析。覆蓋范圍包括以下關鍵領域：?新療法和新興療法的前景?疾病流行病學?預防策略?慢性阻塞性肺病的各個方面，從患者自我管理到疾病和共病的全身效應?改進的診斷方法，包括成像技術、生物標志物和生理測試。?呼吸道感染和耐藥性問題治療進展?職業和環境因素?吸煙干預和戒煙方法的進展?特定人群的疾病和治療問題，如兒童和老年人?呼吸重癥監護?關于特定疾病領域的最新情況和進展，包括哮喘、艾滋病相關疾病、囊性纖維化、慢性阻塞性肺病和睡眠呼吸障礙發病率。呼吸醫學專家評論提供了阻塞性、限制性、血管性和傳染性呼吸疾病領域的國際領導人的評估和結構化評論。所有評論都要經過同行評審，并根據行業領先的標準和時間表制作，以確保為該領域的專業人士提供完整的解決方案。

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.