Abstract
In Europe, the prevalence ranges from 4 % to 10 % in persons over 40 yearsof age. However, the condition is largely underdiagnosed and the number of patients is expected to be two-fold and the prevalence hasbeen steadily increasing, particularly among women.
Modern pharmacotherapy can affect numerous parameters, improves the quality of life of patients, alleviates the symptoms, reduces exacerbations and appears to positively affect the disease-related mortality.