Major chronic illnesses present in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD); all may contribute to health status impairment
| Extrapulmonary disease | Possible consequences in COPD patients |
| Cardiovascular disease | Increased mortality |
| Increased dyspnoea (chronic heart failure) | |
| Reduced physical activity | |
| Cancer (including lung cancer) | Increased mortality |
| Malnutrition | Increased mortality |
| Low fat free (muscle) mass | |
| Skeletal muscle weakness | |
| Increased dyspnoea | |
| Reduced exercise capacity | |
| Anaemia | Increased dyspnoea |
| Possibly increased mortality | |
| Osteoporosis | Fractures |
| Depression | Increased mortality |
| Diabetes | Increased respiratory infections |
| Obstructive sleep apnoea | Sleepiness |
| Pulmonary hypertension | |
| Hypoventilation |