COPD & Asthma: Differences & Overlap

Overview

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are both chronic lung diseases with an overlap of similar characteristics, such as inflammation and airflow obstruction. However, they are distinct conditions with different causes and progression.1 
COPD is not asthma, and asthma is not COPD.1

COPD vs Asthma
COPD vs Asthma
COPD vs Asthma

References

  1. Cukic V, et al. Mater Sociomed 2012;24(2):100–105.
  2. Spencer P, Krieger B. Open Nurs J 2013;7:29–34.
  3. InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). Overview: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [Updated 2022 Dec 28]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK315789/. Accessed on January 2025.
  4. Win PH, Hussain I. Clinical Asthma 2008;149–156.
  5. Athanazio R. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2012;67(11):1335–1343.
  6. InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). Asthma: Learn More – Symptoms and diagnosis. [Updated 2022 Jul 20]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279521/. Accessed on January 2025.
  7. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. 2025 Report. Available at: https://goldcopd.org/2025-gold-report/. Accessed February 2025. 
  8. American Lung Association. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS). Available from: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/learn-about-asthma/types/asthma-copd-overlap-syndrome. Accessed on January 2025.
  9. Alsayed AR, et al. J Pers Med 2023;13(4):677.
  10. American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. Asthma-COPD Overlap. Available from: https://acaai.org/asthma/types-of-asthma/asthma-copd-overlap/. Accessed on January 2025.
  11. Lange P, et al. Lancet Respir Med 2016;4(6):454–462.

The health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes only. Your healthcare professional is the single best source of information regarding your health. Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your health or treatment.

MAT-SG-2500113-v1.0-Apr 2025