Prevention And Early Intervention Must Be Focus Of COPD Management
COPD prevalence in the UAE is 4.6% and is largely underdiagnosed
Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, has identified improvements in patient outcomes from the TOviTO® clinical trial program, involving more than 16,000 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients.
The main focus of the TOviTO® program is on the major components of COPD (including patient-related outcomes, such as functional capacity, exercise capacity and Quality of Life) that translate into real-life benefits to the patient.
Five clinical trials within ToviTO® program, has been extensively investigating the efficacy of long term COPD maintenance therapy focusing on exercise capacity and physical activity. The results of the five trials indicate that physicians can help their patients every day by reducing hyperinflation, alleviating breathlessness, and increasing exercise endurance. It was discovered that patients who are helped to increase their physical activity and experience less breathlessness and difficulty while exercising.
The prevalence of COPD in the UAE is identified to be 4.6%. COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a serious but treatable lung disease, affecting 210 million people worldwide. It is a growing world health priority and is predicted to become the third leading cause of death by 2030. Patients are typically diagnosed when lung function is already significantly impaired. According to GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) guidelines, the prevalence of COPD is appreciably higher in smokers and ex-smokers compared to non-smokers, in those over 40 years of age compared to those less than 40, and in men compared to women.
Dr. Bassam Mahboob, Head of Respiratory and Allergy Society said, “Triggered by long-term exposure to particulate matter, most often from smoking cigarettes, COPD is chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Symptoms often don't appear until significant lung damage has occurred. It is characterized by chronic cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness, excess mucus in the lungs, frequent respiratory infections, as well as lack of energy. Reduced flare-ups can positively impact disease progression and mortality. A flare-up can lead to a 25 per cent loss in lung function often causing COPD to progress even faster .”
Dr. Mahboob continued, “People with COPD are at an increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and a variety of other conditions. This can of course be prevented, by stopping smoking, timely vaccination against flu and pneumonia, exercise. Existing conditions and flare-ups can be reduced by adherence to prescribed medications for COPD, regular contact with doctors and adequate sleep. Following the treatment protocol is crucial because one in three people hospitalized may have to be readmitted after a flare-up within eight weeks.”
Dr. Dalia Mahmoud Amr, Medical Lead, Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) at Boehringer Ingelheim, added, “We should all commit to focus on early intervention that could result in significant reductions in cost and mortality. The cost incurred here is both on a personal level and to the healthcare system. Through the TOviTO® clinical program, we have identified that COPD patients experience reduced symptoms, lower rates of exacerbation, increased physical activity and report improved health related quality of life. COPD however remains largely underdiagnosed and often goes undertreated until it advances considerably. To prevent complications, improve quality of life, and help patients remain independent, early diagnosis and treatment is absolutely important. An effective management plan and treatment is needed in order to successfully control COPD.”
Diagnosis of COPD is confirmed by spirometry - a simple test which involves a patient blowing into a machine. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the prevalence of COPD has been estimated at around four per cent of adults aged over 40 years in the general population. For people with COPD, decreasing lung function causes breathlessness and stops them from being active. This can lead to a downward spiral of worsening symptoms and even further inactivity contributing to an increased risk of disability and death.
