6.9m Pakistanis affected by COPD, of which smoking is the cardinal cause

Islamabad
Smoking accounts for up to 75% of all cases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which affects more than 6.9 million people in Pakistan, health experts told the media at a briefing arranged here on Tuesday to mark the COPD Awareness Campaign. Not only are smokers at higher risk; they also harm other people through passive smoking.
Addressing on the occasion, the head of the pulmonology department at Shifa International Hospital Dr. Aftab Akhtar said, COPD is expected to become the third leading cause of death from chronic diseases worldwide by 2020. COPD is a common preventable disease characterised by persistent airflow limitation that is usually progressive and associated with an enhanced chronic inflammatory response in the airways and the lungs.
Deaths, injuries and disability from COPD will rise in developing countries, primarily due to increased rate of smoking. “Smoking remains a major public health issue which is growing in Pakistan at the rate of 18.7%; breathlessness is the most frequently reported symptom of COPD,” Dr. Aftab maintained.
Dr. Shazli Manzoor, head of pulmonology and medical director at Kalsoom International Hospital and Chest Clinic Islamabad said, treatment and awareness of COPD has become a challenge for the world as it is one of the most common respiratory disorders worldwide, affecting approximately 210 million people around the world.
Dr. Shazli referred to a population-based study on COPD titled ‘Breathe’ when claiming that the disease is on the rise in Pakistan. The study, which was conducted in 11 countries including Pakistan, revealed very low awareness of COPD among smokers. Many patients are poorly informed about COPD and its management, and much can be done to improve disease education. “Better patient education and more effective patient-physician communication are clearly required and the opening up of alternative information channels may complement the patient-physician dialogue,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Shazli said, COPD prevalence is generally higher in men than women. Any patient above 40 who has dyspnea (increasing effort to breathe), chronic cough, chronic sputum production, history of smoking, embracing occupational dusts and chemicals, history of asthma, allergy, sinusitis, family history of COPD or other respiratory diseases, might become a victim of COPD.
Experts urged patients to take care of their habits, and to avoid triggers like cigarette smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes and dust. Once diagnosed with COPD, daily medication is vital to fight the disease along with short-acting rescue inhalers.
“We have to realize that COPD is a chronic disease and has no point of return. The only way to counter this deadly killer is awareness, healthy living and use of prescribed therapies,” the experts agreed in conclusion.