COPD fourth leading cause of death worldwide

“Smoking is the main cause of over 90% of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) in the country,” this was stated by Professor Javaid Khan, Head Section of Pulmonology, at Aga Khan University (AKU). He was addressing a seminar organised to mark the World COPD on 16 November at AKU under the Continued Medical Education Programme. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COPD is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, at par with HIV/AIDS. More than 3 million people die of this disease each year, and up to 10 per cent of adults over age 40 worldwide have this disease. World COPD was observed this year on the theme “Breathless, not helpless.”

Professor Khan emphasised upon the need for educating the public on tobacco and its hazards as the first step for tobacco control but pointed out that the marketing and advertising budget of tobacco companies in Pakistan was far greater than the total budget on health promotion allocated by the government.

He suggested that the Government must raise taxes on tobacco products and stop sponsorship of sports and musical concerts by the tobacco companies. All bill boards on tobacco must be removed. Seminars should be arranged in all educational institutions in which special emphasis on educating the youth against the dangers of smoking. Smoking cessation clinics should be established to guide smokers who wish to quit this powerful addictive substance, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ali Zubairi, Assistant Professor Section of Pulmonology and Consultant Chest Physician, AKU, stated that COPD is a devastating lung disease that progressively robs the sufferers of breath. He said that this preventable disease is unfortunately on the rise in Pakistan because of the increasing use of tobacco in the country. He said that the positive theme this year was chosen to emphasise that breathlessness was not an inevitable part of getting older, and there were treatments available to help people who have been diagnosed with COPD, live full and active lives. “Treatment is most effective if the disease is diagnosed early,” He stressed.

Highlighting the symptoms of COPD, Dr Nisar Rao Assistant Professor, Ojha Institute of Chest Disease said that the symptoms of COPD include coughing, bringing up sputum, and getting out of breath during exercise or exertion. “As the disease progresses, the patients experience breathlessness during normal everyday activities such as climbing a flight of stairs, walking the dog, or even getting washed and dressed in the morning. A simple, painless breathing test called spirometry can confirm whether a person has COPD or not.” He explained.

Dr Masood Kadir, Associate professor, Department of Community Health Sciences, AKU spoke about the role of environmental pollution in COPD. He said that important risk factors in the development of COPD from environment include dusts and chemicals encountered on the job and smoke from biomass fuels (such as coal, wood, and animal dung) burned for cooking and heating in poorly ventilated dwellings, especially in our rural areas. He expressed concern that in spite of clean air laws in place since 2003 in the country our public places are not smoke free, as no serious attempt was made in Pakistan to implement these laws on a wider scale.

Dr Suleman Haque, Consultant Pulmonologist AKU in his presentation on improving the quality of life of COPD sufferer, said that stopping smoking and regular exercise under guidance from a respiratory physician can help overcome the felling of shortness of breath to a significant extend. He advised that all patients whose oxygen saturation on room air below 90% should receive long term oxygen therapy at home.

Dr Muhammad Irfan, Lecturer AKU in his presentation said that the medications for COPD currently available can reduce or abolish symptoms, increase exercise capacity, reduce the number and severity of exacerbations, and improve health status. At present, no treatment has been shown to modify the rate of decline in lung function.

As a part of its social responsibility and commitment to the advancement of health research and education, AKU regularly holds seminars, symposiums and events to raise awareness about health and education related issues which are of national importance and interest.

Urdu Version