A medical symposium conducted recently by Emirates Allergy and Respiratory Society in collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceuticals highlighted the rapid increase of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the UAE.

While most chronic diseases in the UAE are being controlled, the COPD is rapidly increasing, with 4 per cent of the Abu Dhabi population affected by it, according to a recent study.

The study which was done by Dr Ashraf H Alzaabi, chairman, clinical assistant professor, of UAE University and head of the respiratory division at Zayed Military Hospital in Abu Dhabi was presented at the symposium.

Dr Mirza Ali Al Sayegh, president of the Emirates Allergy and Respiratory Society said a new study on COPD is being conducted by it to cover the whole GCC region, the details of which would be announced soon.

He alerted participants that COPD is an under-diagnosed, life-threatening lung disease, and that it is used to describe chronic lung diseases in which breathing is severely restricted because of lung damage and inflammation. “The disease is preventable and can be managed but it is progressive.”

Dr Bassam Mahboub, consultant pulmonary medicine, assistant professor University of Sharjah, head of allergy and respiratory department, Dubai Hospital and vice chair Emirates Allergy and Respiratory Society Dubai, said: “COPD is currently the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. The prevalence of smoking in the UAE is around 23 per cent. The 4 per cent figure of the COPD prevalence will rise as the smokers' group in the UAE grows older.”

Professor Leonardo Fabbri, an expert from the University of Modena in Italy, Reggio Emilia, provided latest updates on COPD, which is still widely disregarded by most people.

“The WHO estimates 80 million people have moderate to severe COPD worldwide. Three million people died from COPD, which corresponded to five percent of all deaths globally. Every hour COPD is estimated to kill more than 250 people worldwide, which means that COPD kills someone every 15 seconds. It is also costly to manage with the annual healthcare bill adding up to more than 10 billion euros in the EU alone,” he added.

Fabbri said effective management of COPD should be aimed at improving daily control of the disease, including actions to relieve symptoms and improve exercise tolerance and quality of life. Another important goal is related to reducing future risk, including actions to prevent and treat exacerbations, prevent disease progression, treat complications and reduce mortality.

“One of the most promising new treatments for COPD is Roflumilast, a first-in-class phosphodiesterase (PDE4) inhibitor that is the only licensed oral therapy that targets COPD-specific inflammation,” said Dr Osama Al-Nawasany, medical affairs director, Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

A campaign to raise awareness of the risks, prevention means and treatment for COPD that affects mostly smokers was also launched at the symposium.

Smoking cigarettes is the major cause of COPD in 80 per cent of cases. Other causes include pollution generated by a number of domestic heaters and air pollution.

“A new class of tablets (called phosphodiesterase inhibitors), such as the new Roflumilast, hold great promise. This medication, when used with inhalators, has been shown to reduce ‘lung attacks’ and improve lung function especially in severe cases,” Dr Mahboub concluded. – TradeArabia News Service