Dutch Hypothesis and British Hypothesis in Bronchial Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are obstructive pulmonary diseases with airway inflammation. Both diseases have similar pathologies such as airflow limitation, inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. These findings provide molecular levels molecular support for both points of view in the British/Dutch hypothesis controversy regarding the relationship between bronchial asthma and COPD. Both diseases are often complicated, and a new concept such as Asthma COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS) is proposed.