The article from the African Journal of Thoracic and Critical Care Medicine provides updated guidelines on endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR) for treating advanced emphysema, a severe form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which ...is prevalent in South Africa and other low- and middle-income countries. The guidelines focus on identifying suitable patients based on specific criteria, such as age, lung function, and the presence of hyperinflation, while ruling out contraindications like pulmonary hypertension and recent smoking.
ELVR aims to reduce lung volume in the most damaged areas, improving breathing mechanics and quality of life. Various devices, including endobronchial valves, intrabronchial valves, and coils, are reviewed with evidence from clinical trials supporting their use. The guidelines emphasize careful patient selection and recommend only performing ELVR in specialized centers due to its high cost and risk of complications, such as pneumothorax.
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The article "Cardiovascular Diseases" on Our World in Data provides an in-depth analysis of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the leading cause of death globally. It examines CVD trends, such as the decline in mortality rates in high-income countries d...ue to improved healthcare and lifestyle changes, while low- and middle-income countries experience rising CVD burdens. The article highlights major risk factors, including high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, and poor diet. It emphasizes the importance of preventive measures and access to treatment to reduce global disparities in CVD outcomes. The data-driven approach uses visualizations to illustrate the global impact and distribution of CVD.
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The article "Can we prevent cardiovascular diseases in low- and middle-income countries?" by Claude Lenfant discusses the growing threat of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in developing countries. It highlights that while CVD is already the leading c...ause of death globally, low- and middle-income countries are now facing rising CVD rates due to lifestyle changes associated with urbanization and economic growth. Lenfant advocates for a dual approach: identifying and treating high-risk individuals and promoting broad, population-wide prevention efforts focused on lifestyle changes such as reducing smoking, lowering salt intake, and increasing physical activity. He emphasizes that early, affordable preventive measures are essential to mitigate the impending CVD epidemic in these countries and prevent significant healthcare and economic strain.
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The article "Time to Align: Development Cooperation for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases" argues for greater international cooperation and investment in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially in low- and middl...e-income countries. Traditionally, global health funding has focused on infectious diseases, but the growing burden of NCDs—such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes—necessitates new approaches to development assistance.
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The article "The Rising Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases in the Americas and the Impact of Population Aging" examines how the aging population in the Americas is contributing to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), despite impr...ovements in disease prevention and health care. Using data from the World Health Organization and the United Nations, the study analyzes trends in population growth, aging, and NCD-related mortality and disability rates from 2000 to 2019 across 33 countries.
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The article "Non-communicable diseases, injuries, and mental ill-health in Africa: the role of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention" examines the role of the Africa CDC in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), injuries, and m...ental health across the continent. It highlights how Africa CDC, originally focused on communicable disease response, has expanded its mandate to include NCDs and mental health, driven by the high mortality and morbidity associated with these conditions.
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The article "A 20-year follow-up study on chronic respiratory effects of exposure to cotton dust" evaluates the long-term impact of cotton dust exposure on respiratory health. It followed a cohort of Chinese cotton and silk workers from 1981 to 2001..., comparing lung function and symptoms. Results showed that cotton workers experienced greater declines in lung function and persistent respiratory symptoms compared to silk workers. The study found that exposure to airborne endotoxins in cotton dust was strongly linked to chronic respiratory impairment. It highlighted that stopping exposure helped improve lung function, particularly in non-smoking men, while smokers continued to show negative effects.
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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 t...he effectiveness of population-based asthma screening 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 prev...alence 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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The article "Asthma treatment in children: A guide to screening for and management of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression" discusses the risks associated with the use of corticosteroids in pediatric asthma treatment. It highlights that p...rolonged corticosteroid use can suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, potentially leading to adrenal insufficiency, especially during stress. The article reviews diagnostic and screening approaches, recommending specific tests and management strategies based on current evidence. It emphasizes the need for monitoring children on corticosteroids to mitigate the risk of serious complications and suggests modifications in treatment to prevent HPA axis suppression.
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The article "Barriers and determinants of asthma control in children and adolescents in Africa: a systematic review" analyzes factors contributing to poor asthma control in African youth. Based on studies conducted between 2014 and 2019 in Nigeria, ...Uganda, and South Africa, the review identifies key challenges such as limited access to asthma diagnosis, inadequate use of inhaled corticosteroids, and environmental and socio-economic factors. It finds that urban living, older age, and concurrent allergic conditions significantly affect asthma management. The study emphasizes the need for improved diagnostic tools, better access to treatment, and tailored public health interventions to enhance asthma outcomes in African children.
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The article "Under- and over-diagnosis of COPD: a global perspective" reviews the worldwide variation in the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and issues related to its misdiagnosis. It highlights that COPD is under-diagnose...d due to factors such as limited access to spirometry and variable diagnostic criteria, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Conversely, over-diagnosis often results from reliance on non-standard criteria or inadequate spirometry use. The article discusses key risk factors, including age, gender, exposure to pollutants, and comorbidities, and emphasizes the need for standardized diagnostic practices to better address and manage COPD globally.
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The article "The silent epidemic of COPD in Africa" discusses the under-recognized yet significant prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Africa. Despite being the third leading cause of death worldwide, COPD remains poorly st...udied and largely unknown in sub-Saharan Africa. The article highlights risk factors such as tobacco smoking and biomass smoke exposure, which significantly affect both men and women. Biomass smoke, in particular, is linked to COPD in younger individuals and impacts women due to prolonged exposure during cooking. The piece calls for better awareness, training for healthcare providers, and proactive measures to address and manage COPD in the region.
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The article "The burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its attributable risk factors in the Middle East and North Africa region, 1990–2019" provides an analysis of the prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs)... due to COPD in the MENA region from 1990 to 2019. The study uses data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 and shows that while age-standardized death and DALY rates have decreased over 30 years, COPD remains a significant health issue, especially among older populations. The main risk factors identified are smoking, ambient particulate pollution, and occupational exposure. The research underscores the impact of socioeconomic factors and recommends targeted public health initiatives to reduce the burden.
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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 tha...t discuss healthcare resource utilization (HRU), direct 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 r...espiratory 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 article investigates the global burden and risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It emphasizes that COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with significant health and economic impacts. The study ide...ntifies smoking as the primary risk factor, but also highlights other contributors such as occupational exposure, air pollution, and respiratory infections. The authors discuss variations in COPD prevalence and mortality rates across different regions, influenced by socioeconomic and environmental factors. The article calls for comprehensive public health strategies to reduce exposure to risk factors and improve early diagnosis and management to curb the global impact of COPD.
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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 t...he 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 reg...ions. The study involved 34 general practitioners and 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 environmental 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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