Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia (COP)
OVERVIEW
COP CHARACTERISTICS
Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) is characterized by the observation of a pattern of organizing pneumonia with no cause or etiologic context.1
Previously referred to as bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia or idiopathic bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP)2, characterized by organized swirls or plugs of fibrous and inflammatory tissue in the absence of infection. A small proportion of patients will experience spontaneous resolution2
Few cases of COP progress to respiratory failure and death.2
- Diagnosis is often delayed 6-12 months1
- Patients typically present with symptoms of a lower respiratory tract infection and are often given multiple courses of antibiotics before they are diagnosed with COP2
COP is most commonly misdiagnosed as infectious pneumonia.1
Epidemiology/Risk Factors
- Affects men and women equally2
- More common in nonsmokers2
- Mean age of onset 55 years old2
COP makes up approximately 3% of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIP).3