World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day

Last updated
World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day
Observed byglobally
TypeInternational
Date 19 November
Frequencyannual

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite its prevalence, COPD often goes undiagnosed and untreated, leading to significant health complications and reduced quality of life for those affected. To address this issue and raise awareness about COPD, the creation of World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day presents a crucial opportunity to educate the public, support patients, and advocate for better policies and resources to combat this chronic condition. [1]

Contents

History

The inaugural World COPD Day took place on November 14, 2002, initiated by GOLD in collaboration with health professionals and COPD patient groups. Since then, it has become a crucial event in the global fight against COPD. [2] World COPD Day is observed annually on the third Wednesday of November. This global initiative aims to raise awareness about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), its risk factors, prevention, and management. It serves as a platform for health care professionals, patient groups, and communities to come together and advocate for better lung health. [3]

Objectives and Impact

Key Theme

Lung Health for All

The theme for World COPD Day 2022 was “Lung Health for All”. It emphasized the global impact of major respiratory diseases, including COPD, and highlighted the effects of COVID-19, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Early detection and reducing health inequalities were key messages.

Breathing Is Life - Act Earlier (2023 Theme)

The 2023 theme for World COPD Day is “Breathing is Life - Act Earlier”. This theme underscores the importance of early lung health, early diagnosis, and prompt interventions. COPD can start early in life, affecting young individuals, and identifying precursor conditions allows for timely treatment. [7] [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency</span> Medical condition

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic disorder that may result in lung disease or liver disease. Onset of lung problems is typically between 20 and 50 years of age. This may result in shortness of breath, wheezing, or an increased risk of lung infections. Complications may include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cirrhosis, neonatal jaundice, or panniculitis.

The British Lung Foundation (BLF) was a British charity that promoted lung health and supported those affected by lung disease. In January 2020, it merged with Asthma UK, to become Asthma + Lung UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Non-invasive ventilation</span> Breathing support administered through a face mask

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is the use of breathing support administered through a face mask, nasal mask, or a helmet. Air, usually with added oxygen, is given through the mask under positive pressure; generally the amount of pressure is alternated depending on whether someone is breathing in or out. It is termed "non-invasive" because it is delivered with a mask that is tightly fitted to the face or around the head, but without a need for tracheal intubation. While there are similarities with regard to the interface, NIV is not the same as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which applies a single level of positive airway pressure throughout the whole respiratory cycle; CPAP does not deliver ventilation but is occasionally used in conditions also treated with NIV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Byssinosis</span> Medical condition

Byssinosis is an occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of cotton or jute dust in inadequately ventilated working environments and can develop over time with repeated exposure. Byssinosis commonly occurs in textile workers who are employed in yarn and fabric manufacture industries. It is now thought that the cotton dust directly causes the disease and some believe that the causative agents are endotoxins that come from the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria that grow on the cotton. Although bacterial endotoxin is a likely cause, the absence of similar symptoms in workers in other industries exposed to endotoxins makes this uncertain. Current smokers are also at risk for developing byssinosis or having complications relating to byssinosis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erdosteine</span> Chemical to treat chronic bronchitis

Erdosteine is a molecule with mucolytic activity. Structurally it is a thiol derivative characterized by the presence of two thiol groups. These two functional sulfhydryl groups contained in the molecule are released following first-pass metabolism with the conversion of erdosteine into its pharmacologically active metabolite Met-I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bronchitis</span> Inflammation of the large airways in the lungs

Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi in the lungs that causes coughing. Bronchitis usually begins as an infection in the nose, ears, throat, or sinuses. The infection then makes its way down to the bronchi. Symptoms include coughing up sputum, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obstructive lung disease</span> Category of respiratory disease characterized by airway obstruction

Obstructive lung disease is a category of respiratory disease characterized by airway obstruction. Many obstructive diseases of the lung result from narrowing (obstruction) of the smaller bronchi and larger bronchioles, often because of excessive contraction of the smooth muscle itself. It is generally characterized by inflamed and easily collapsible airways, obstruction to airflow, problems exhaling, and frequent medical clinic visits and hospitalizations. Types of obstructive lung disease include asthma, bronchiectasis, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although COPD shares similar characteristics with all other obstructive lung diseases, such as the signs of coughing and wheezing, they are distinct conditions in terms of disease onset, frequency of symptoms, and reversibility of airway obstruction. Cystic fibrosis is also sometimes included in obstructive pulmonary disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pulmonary function testing</span> Test to evaluate respiratory system

Pulmonary function testing (PFT) is a complete evaluation of the respiratory system including patient history, physical examinations, and tests of pulmonary function. The primary purpose of pulmonary function testing is to identify the severity of pulmonary impairment. Pulmonary function testing has diagnostic and therapeutic roles and helps clinicians answer some general questions about patients with lung disease. PFTs are normally performed by a pulmonary function technician, respiratory therapist, respiratory physiologist, physiotherapist, pulmonologist, or general practitioner.

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness is a state characterised by easily triggered bronchospasm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FEV1/FVC ratio</span> Ratio used in the diagnosis of lung disease

The FEV1/FVC ratio, also called modified Tiffeneau-Pinelli index, is a calculated ratio used in the diagnosis of obstructive and restrictive lung disease. It represents the proportion of a person's vital capacity that they are able to expire in the first second of forced expiration (FEV1) to the full, forced vital capacity (FVC). FEV1/FVC ratio first proposed by E.A. Haensler in 1950. The FEV1/FVC index should not be confused with the FEV1/VC index as they are different, although both are intended for diagnosing airway obstruction. Current recommendations for diagnosing pulmonary function recommend using the modified Tiffeneau-Pinelli index. This index is recommended to be represented as a decimal fraction with two digits after the decimal point.

Pulmonary rehabilitation, also known as respiratory rehabilitation, is an important part of the management and health maintenance of people with chronic respiratory disease who remain symptomatic or continue to have decreased function despite standard medical treatment. It is a broad therapeutic concept. It is defined by the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society as an evidence-based, multidisciplinary, and comprehensive intervention for patients with chronic respiratory diseases who are symptomatic and often have decreased daily life activities. In general, pulmonary rehabilitation refers to a series of services that are administered to patients of respiratory disease and their families, typically to attempt to improve the quality of life for the patient. Pulmonary rehabilitation may be carried out in a variety of settings, depending on the patient's needs, and may or may not include pharmacologic intervention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease</span> Medical condition

An acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB), is a sudden worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms including shortness of breath, quantity and color of phlegm that typically lasts for several days.

In some individuals, the effect of oxygen on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is to cause increased carbon dioxide retention,

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiotropium bromide</span> Long-acting bronchodilator in the maintenance of COPD and asthma

Tiotropium bromide, sold under the brand name Spiriva among others, is a long-acting bronchodilator used in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Specifically it is used during periods of breathing difficulty to prevent them from getting worse, rather than to prevent them from happening. It is used by inhalation through the mouth. Onset typically begins within half an hour and lasts for 24 hours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease</span> Lung disease involving long-term poor airflow

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a type of progressive lung disease characterized by long-term respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. GOLD 2024 defined COPD as a heterogeneous lung condition characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms due to abnormalities of the airways and/or alveoli (emphysema) that cause persistent, often progressive, airflow obstruction.

Physiotherapists treating patients following uncomplicated coronary artery bypass surgery surgery continue to use interventions such as deep breathing exercises that are not supported by best available evidence. Standardised guidelines may be required to better match clinical practice with current literature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emphysema</span> Medical condition

Emphysema is any air-filled enlargement in the body's tissues. Most commonly emphysema refers to the enlargement of air spaces (alveoli) in the lungs, and is also known as pulmonary emphysema.

Fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium bromide/vilanterol, sold under the brand name Trelegy Ellipta among others, is a fixed-dose combination inhaled medication that is used for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The medications work in different ways: fluticasone furoate is an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), umeclidinium is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), and vilanterol is a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John W. Walsh</span> American NGO leader and patient advocate, 1949–2017

John W. Walsh was an American non-profit leader and patient advocate. After being diagnosed with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, he co-founded the Alpha-1 Foundation and AlphaNet, both of which serve people diagnosed with that condition, and the COPD Foundation, which serves people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. As an advocate for alpha-1 and COPD patients, Walsh lobbied before Congress for increased research funding and medical benefits for patients, and served on a number of health-related committees and organizations.

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) is a non-profit organization started by the World Health Organization and the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in 1997 to improve care for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They have organized the annual awareness day, World COPD Day, every November since 2002.

References

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  2. Katherine A. Safka, M. D.; Joshua Wald, M. D.; Hongyu Wang, M. D.; Andrew McIvor, M. D.; McIvor, Luke. "GOLD Stage and Treatment in COPD: A 500 Patient Point Prevalence Study". Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases:Journal of the COPD Foundation. 4 (1): 45–55.
  3. "Let's park here". Bing. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  4. "World COPD Day 2022". Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease - GOLD. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  5. الصحة, فريق بوابة وزارة. "Ministry Of Health Saudi Arabia". Ministry Of Health Saudi Arabia. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  6. "World COPD Day 2022". Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease - GOLD. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  7. "World COPD Day 2023". Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease - GOLD. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  8. "World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day". www.cochrane.org. Retrieved 2024-04-28.