The article "An Official ATS Workshop Report: Issues in Screening for Asthma in Children" summarizes discussions from a workshop organized by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) on the challenges of asthma screening in children. The report reviews the effectiveness of population-based asthma screeni...ng programs, highlights the limitations of current methods, and discusses case detection as an alternative. It assesses asthma's impact as a public health issue, explores the feasibility of screening tests, and examines the economic and practical challenges. The workshop concludes that broad population-based screening may not be justified without better evidence and targeted efforts to improve follow-up care and treatment access.
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The article "Asthma in South African adolescents: a time trend and risk factor analysis over two decades" investigates the prevalence and risk factors for asthma in Cape Town adolescents from 2002 to 2017. The study finds that while the overall prevalence of asthma remained similar, the severity of ...the condition increased significantly. Risk factors for asthma and severe cases include smoking, pet exposure, outdoor pollution, and living in informal housing. Despite these trends, underdiagnosis remains a concern, as only one-third of adolescents with current or severe asthma had been formally diagnosed. The article emphasizes the need for better public health strategies to address environmental exposures and improve asthma diagnosis and treatment.
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Lack of information about economic burden of COPD is a major cause of lack of attention to this chronic condition from governments and policymakers.
The Russian army’s attack on Ukraine has resulted in an estimated 10 million people being internally or externally displaced from Ukraine, of whom more than 3.8 million have left Ukraine to seek refuge elsewhere in Europe. Soleterre has decided to launch an intervention to provide psychological su...pport to Ukrainian refugees and IDPs, aimed at containing war trauma, assessing the severity of symptoms, and enabling those affected to receive psychological support.
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The article "Economic Burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Systematic Literature Review" examines the financial impact associated with moderate-to-very severe COPD. The review analyzes studies published between 2006 and 2016 that discuss healthcare resource utilization (HRU), di...rect costs, and indirect costs related to COPD, with a focus on Europe and North America. It highlights that direct costs, including hospitalizations and medical treatments, increase with the severity of COPD and the frequency of exacerbations. Multivariate analyses identify key factors driving these costs, such as comorbidities and prior treatment history. The findings underscore the significant economic burden of COPD on healthcare systems and emphasize the need for improved management strategies to reduce costs and optimize patient care.
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The article presents findings from the BREATHE study, which assessed the distribution of COPD-related symptoms in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The study involved a large cross-sectional survey in 11 countries, collecting data on respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, and potential ...COPD prevalence in adults aged 40 and older. Results showed that 14.3% of the surveyed population reported symptoms consistent with COPD, with variations across countries. Women reported symptoms more frequently than men, though diagnosed COPD was more common in men. The study highlighted smoking, including waterpipe use, as significant risk factors and called attention to underdiagnosed COPD in the region, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and better diagnostic practices.
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The new Global Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines advice to focus treatment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) on improvement of functional state, prevention of disease progression and minimization of symptoms. So far no validated questionnaires are available to measure symptom ...and functional state in daily clinical practice. The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ).
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The objective of the BREATHE study was to estimate the regional prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms within the general population in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region and to document risk factors, disease characteristics and management using a standardised me...thodology.
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The article provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence and risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It highlights that COPD is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the region, with prevalence rates ranging from 1.7% ...to 24.8% and an average pooled prevalence of 8%. The analysis points out that smoking, exposure to biomass smoke, and age are key risk factors. The study emphasizes the need for improved diagnosis and awareness, as COPD often remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in SSA. The authors call for coordinated efforts from clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to address these issues and reduce exposure to preventable risk factors.
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The article investigates the diagnostic capabilities and prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in primary care settings in northern Brazil. It highlights that COPD is often underdiagnosed and undertreated in resource-limited regions. The study involved 34 general practitioners a...nd used spirometry to evaluate their diagnostic accuracy compared to clinical assessments. Findings revealed significant discrepancies between GP diagnoses and spirometry results, with many false positives and negatives. The study underscores the need for better training and the use of spirometry to improve COPD diagnosis and case-finding in primary care, emphasizing the importance of targeted strategies to enhance healthcare outcomes in developing countries.
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The article examines the epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey. It provides an overview of COPD prevalence, associated risk factors, and challenges in diagnosis and treatment across these regions. The study highlights smoking and en...vironmental exposures, such as dust and pollution, as significant contributors to COPD. It also points out the gaps in awareness, healthcare infrastructure, and the availability of diagnostic tools, which hinder effective management of the disease. The authors emphasize the need for comprehensive public health strategies, education, and improved access to healthcare to address the COPD burden in these areas.
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The article provides a systematic analysis estimating the prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) across Africa. It highlights the significant health burden COPD imposes on the continent, emphasizing varying prevalence rates influenced by factors such as tobacco smoking, exposure ...to biomass fuel, and occupational hazards. The analysis reveals substantial gaps in data and disparities in COPD diagnosis and management across different African countries. The authors call for more comprehensive data collection, increased awareness, and better healthcare infrastructure to effectively address and manage COPD in Africa.
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The article investigates the effectiveness and challenges of remote monitoring systems for chronic respiratory diseases, focusing on COPD and asthma. It reviews various technologies and their potential to improve patient outcomes through better symptom tracking, medication adherence, and early detec...tion of exacerbations. The study highlights that while remote monitoring has significant potential, challenges such as data accuracy, patient compliance, and integration with existing healthcare systems remain. The authors call for further research to standardize and validate remote monitoring tools and emphasize the need for patient-centric approaches to enhance engagement and adherence.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an increasingly important cause of morbidity, disability, and mortality worldwide. We aimed to estimate global, regional, and national COPD prevalence and risk factors to guide policy and population interventions.
Existing data on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prevalence are irregularly distributed around the world, and in many geographic regions data are scarce or even nonexistent. This fact hinders the implementation of adequate preventive and therapeutic interventions to reduce the high burd...en and costs of COPD. In the current study, we have used the Geographic Information System (GIS) inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation technique with the objective of visualising spatial data of COPD prevalence in the world and obtaining a visual impression of the magnitude of this global health problem. GIS has been recognised as an effective tool to display the geographical distribution of data, even when they are few and widely separated, as is the case with the prevalence of COPD.
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This study identifies barriers and provides recommendations to improve asthma care in children across sub-Saharan Africa, where qualitative data is lacking despite high rates.
The article reviews the impact of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on global health, emphasizing its significant burden on infants, children, and the elderly. It discusses current and emerging prevention strategies, including the development and implementation of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies.... The review highlights advancements in RSV research, the challenges of creating effective vaccines for different age groups, and the importance of global collaboration to reduce RSV-associated morbidity and mortality. It also calls for increased investment in research and public health measures to enhance prevention and treatment options.
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The article discusses the education strategy of the International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) for 2014–2020, focusing on building capacity to improve respiratory care globally. It highlights the significant burden of respiratory diseases and the role of primary care in addressing this i...ssue. The IPCRG aims to enhance educational efforts, support healthcare professionals, and foster knowledge-sharing among its member countries. The strategy includes developing teaching programs, promoting leadership, and using innovative educational methods, such as distance learning and "teach the teacher" programs. The overall goal is to improve clinical practice and outcomes in managing respiratory conditions through targeted education and collaboration.
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The article from the European Respiratory Journal discusses the natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphasizing its increasing global impact on morbidity and mortality. It highlights that while cigarette smoking is a primary risk factor, other influences such as environm...ental exposures and genetics also play significant roles. The article notes that lung function, measured by FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second), is a critical indicator of both diagnosis and prognosis. It further explores the impact of exacerbations, comorbidities, and systemic inflammation on disease progression and outcomes. The need for comprehensive patient management, which considers various comorbid conditions and inflammatory factors, is emphasized to improve clinical outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
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The article discusses the challenges and opportunities for lung health in Africa in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the strain on healthcare systems, the increase in chronic respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD, and the limited resources for managing these conditions. The pa...ndemic has exacerbated issues like delayed diagnosis and treatment, while also impacting child lung health and increasing risks for those with tuberculosis. It emphasizes the importance of leveraging global partnerships and strategies to improve healthcare infrastructure and response in Africa.
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