Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - A Current Conspectus provides an update on COPD related to the following topics:

• merging of experience with technology in confronting COPD

• air pollution and work-related exposures as major causes of COPD

• heterogeneity of COPD caused by smoke from cigarettes and biomass fuel

• disease-related contributors of health status in COPD

• exercise training in the context of pulmonary rehabilitation

• nutritional interventions in COPD

• mechanical ventilation in COPD

• use of patient-directed music listening during mechanical ventilation