There is no clinically proven cause and effect relationship between autoimmunity and COPD. However, most researchers, clinicians and academicians believe there must be a relationship they haven't yet identified. This is the subject of a number of clinical studies going on now and will be the subject of a lot of research until they get definitive answers. The issue of the relationship between autoimmunity and COPD and the genetic relationship with COPD accounts for a lot of research time.

@A MyCOPDTeam Member and @A MyCOPDTeam Member, From my own experience, I have a combo treat of Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. And COPD/Emphysema.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease - and when I have a flare up of that—my COPD feels left out and joints in the flare up. Vice versus the same happens when I’m having a COPD flare up.

Have read many articles about it. And it seems it happens to many other people as well.

But there is a definite correlation.

Asked my pulmonologist about it, and he said, wait for it, “That makes sense.” 🤪

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@A MyCOPDTeam Member, it's not a question of making a decision, it's a question of what does the research prove. Only when we know what the research shows to be the the truth as we know it can we know what changes this will make in determining medications, treatments, policy, insurance,etc.

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I haven't researched this actual topic however, I believe the answer would be yes. I say this because since your lungs are compromised you can catch viruses very easily and fighting them can be most difficult. Your immune system normally guards against germs like bacteria and viruses but when you are compromised in some particular way it becomes difficult. I was diagnosed with COPD, chronic bronchitis around 2006 and like most smokers did not quit so that by 2012 it had developed into emphysema. I have been disabled since 2012 and I can definitely tell my lungs are deteriorating.

Found this explanation: Of Course there is far more information , if one chooses to do their research.
COPD is a chronic respiratory illness that gets worse over time. It is sometimes known as emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Although preventable in most cases, and always treatable initially, it can also lead to disability and death.

Medical experts know that your airways become less functional and damaged with COPD. This is due to inflammation that narrows the airways and decreases the flow of air in and out. Smoking is the biggest risk factor. But many people who smoke do not develop COPD. And many people who have COPD have never smoked.

So, experts still have a lot to learn about who gets COPD and why, and how the disease progresses. However, a study published in June of 2018 in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology suggests that COPD may in fact be an autoimmune disease1.