Respiratory medicine

Respiratory medicine is a diverse specialty involving common chronic diseases, rarer conditions, pulmonary involvement in systemic disorders, lung infections, tumours, and adverse drug effects. It is also an important component of general internal medicine. Respiratory medicine has been prominent in producing clinical guidelines, many of which are now evidence-based, and hence a good source of information and reference. Some of the commonest medical conditions, including asthma and lung cancer, are rooted in respiratory medicine. Although declining, lag effects mean these conditions are increasingly prevalent and continue to be important, particularly in the developing world. Sleep medicine is now also beginning to receive attention, and respiratory infections remain common. Respiratory research is broad-based, but the level of government and major charity funding is low. This chapter summarizes important recent clinical papers under the subheadings of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, infection, lung cancer, and smoking, with contributions from pulmonary vascular disease and sleep.