Chronic bronchitis

Definition

Chronic bronchitis is a chronic inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs. It is generally considered one of the two forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is defined clinically as a persistent cough that produces sputum and mucus, for at least three months per year in two consecutive years. Unspecified chronic bronchitis is a chronic bronchitis not specified as simple or mucopurulent.

Exclusions

• chronic asthmatic bronchitis
• chronic: bronchitis: with airways obstruction
• chronic: emphysematous bronchitis
• chronic: obstructive pulmonary disease NOS

Subcategories (4)