Lack of agreement among definitions of COPD, combined with delayed diagnosis in many patients, makes estimates of prevalence difficult. In 2008, 13.1 million U.S. adults (aged 18 and older) were estimated to have COPD, but close to 24 million U.S. adults have evidence of impaired lung function, thus indicating underdiagnosis of COPD. COPD accounted for 1.5 million emergency department (ED) visi...