SERIES “THE GLOBAL BURDEN OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE”
Edited by K.F. Rabe and J.B. Soriano
Number 1 in this Series
INTRODUCTION: AN INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON THE GLOBAL BURDEN OF COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading but under-recognised cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide 1. The prevalence of COPD in the general population is estimated to be ∼1% across all ages rising steeply to >10% amongst those aged ≥40 yrs. The prevalence climbs appreciably higher with age. The 30-yr projections for the global increase in COPD from 1990–2020 are startling. COPD is projected to move from the sixth to the third most common cause of death worldwide, whilst rising from fourth to third in terms of morbidity within the same time-frame 2. The cofactors responsible for this remarkable increase are the continued use of tobacco, coupled with the changing demographics of the world, such that many more people, especially those in developing countries, are living into the COPD age range.
COPD is under-diagnosed not only in its early stages, but even when lung function is severely impaired. This is perhaps surprising, since simple and inexpensive spirometers that are suitable in clinical practice are now available, and lung function is a powerful predictor of all-cause mortality, regardless of smoking status. No other disease that is responsible for comparable morbidity, mortality and cost is neglected by healthcare providers as much as COPD. It may well be that the true burden of the disease is not fully appreciated, and the message that COPD is both preventable and treatable has yet to be fully understood by most healthcare providers. The hope is that highlighting these facts will help to raise the profile of COPD and begin to change long-held attitudes.
Up to 2001, only 32 prevalence surveys of COPD had been reported 3. This is remarkable given the hundreds …
