Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD

WHO estimates that  80 million people have moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). More than 3 million people died of COPD in 2005.  Most of the information available on COPD prevalence, morbidity and mortality comes from high income countries. However, it is known that almost 90% of COPD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.

In 2002 COPD was the fifth leading cause of death. Total deaths from COPD are projected to increase by more than 30% in the next 10 years unless urgent action is taken to reduce the underlying risk factors, especially tobacco use. Estimates show that COPD becomes in 2030 the third leading cause of death worldwide.

Some 200 000 people in Finland suffer from chronic bronchitis. It is reckoned that the number of people with latent COPD could be twice this number as the condition is often asymptomatic. The main risk factor is smoking.

In 1997, the annual treatment costs of chronic bronchitis and COPD were estimated to be FIM 1.5 thousand million, total costs FIM 5 thousand million. Without intensification of measures to prevent and treat the diseases, costs will rise significantly. Costs arising from severe COPD (5% of patients with COPD) account for roughly 65% of costs overall and are primarily related to hospitalizations.

A national recommendation for the promotion of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation in relation to chronic bronchitis and COPD from 1998 to 2007 has been prepared on the basis of extensive collaboration by order of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

The goals of the Programme for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Bronchitis and COPD are as follows: (a) to decrease the incidence of chronic bronchitis; (b) to ensure that as many patients as possible with chronic bronchitis recover; (c) to maintain capacity for work and functional capacity of patients with COPD; (d) to reduce the percentage of patients with moderate to severe COPD; (e) to decrease the number of hospitalization days of COPD patients by 25% overall; and (f) to decrease annual costs per patient.

The key measure for achieving the goals is reduction in smoking.

Sources:

WHO. Chronic obstructive pulmonary  disease (COPD). http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs315/en/index.html 

Pietinalho A, Kontula E. Kroonisen keuhkoputkitulehduksen ja keuhkoahtaumataudin ehkäisy- ja hoito-ohjelman väliraportti valmistunut. Suomen Lääkärilehti 36/2004 vsk 59. 3299-3302. www.filha.fi

Laitinen LA,  Koskela K, the Expert Advisory Group. Chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Finnish National Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment 1998-2007. http://www.sciencedirect.com. Acces 8.3.2010.

Updated 8.3.2010