COPD and the gut-lung axis: the therapeutic potential of fibre

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease characterised by chronic airway inflammation, persistent respiratory symptoms and chronic airflow limitation, and is associated with exacerbations and comorbidities (1,2). It is estimated that 4–5% of the global population or 328 million people have COPD (3). Global Burden of Disease studies have estimated that COPD causes the death of at least 2.9 million annually and it is predicted to be third leading cause of death worldwide by 2020 (4,5). COPD also predisposes to lung cancer (6-8)