Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is underdiagnosed in France. Here are the main symptoms.
- In France, COPD affects approximately 7.5% of the adult population (i.e. 3 to 3.5 million people) and causes 18,000 deaths each year.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by inflammation of the airways (especially the bronchi).
- On a daily basis, this lung damage is characterized by progressive chronic shortness of breath (first during exercise then in everyday life and at rest), morning sputum and frequent then persistent cough.
Five institutions (CHIESI, Respiratory Health France, Asthma and Allergies, FFAAIR and TESSAN) have just launched the second edition of the ITINÉR’AIR campaign which will run until May 2024 in several cities in France.
What are the symptoms of COPD?
“This approach constitutes a public health initiative which aims to promote at the local level a set of actions and solutions in favor of prevention, screening and support for patients suffering from respiratory pathologies such as asthma and COPD”, explain the organizers.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by inflammation of the airways (especially the bronchi). It causes the thickening of their walls as well as hypersecretion of mucus. The functioning of respiratory cells is then disrupted, which gradually deteriorates the pulmonary alveoli and can lead to emphysema.
On a daily basis, this lung damage is characterized by chronic progressive shortness of breath (first during exercise then in everyday life and at rest), morning sputum as well as frequent then persistent cough.
“The impact of the disease on the quality of life of patients depends on the number of exacerbations, the need for oxygen, fatigue and difficulties in carrying out daily activities or social activities”, specify the three patient associations. “In the absence of early treatment, daily discomfort increases,” they continue.
How to manage COPD?
In France, COPD affects approximately 7.5% of the adult population (i.e. 3 to 3.5 million people) and causes 18,000 deaths each year. 60% to 90% of cases would go undiagnosed.
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment (smoking cessation, vaccination, drug treatments, etc.) can nevertheless slow down the deterioration of respiratory function and the progression of COPD. Conversely, people with undiagnosed COPD have a higher risk of mortality than the general population.
“To quickly manage a respiratory pathology, any symptoms associated with pulmonary problems, such as cough, shortness of breath or fatigue must be reported to a doctor quickly,” specify the actors in the prevention and screening campaign cited at the start of the article.
In 80% of cases, COPD is linked to tobacco. “This factor is also one of the triggers of COPD exacerbations. they conclude.