Experts stress the need for early treatment of COPD.

-Dr. Ancochea: the impact of pulmonary obstructive chronic disease on the quality of life of patients is less if you start the treatment of early ”

-the most recent studies demonstrate that tiotropium significantly improves lung function and quality of life in patients with COPD at an early stage of the disease.

Madrid, October 2009.- In the fight against the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), early diagnosis is essential because, the sooner you begin treatment, greater quality of life of the patient. Thus has shown it Dr. Ancochea, Coordinator of the strategy in the national health system COPD on the occasion of the presentation of this strategy at the beginning of October.

Studies have shown that the treatment of the disease in early stages significantly improves the quality of life of those who suffer ”, indicates the doctor Ancochea. however there is still a situation of under-diagnosis, 70 percent of the cases still be diagnosed and when they are detected, the disease is advanced and the patient is already suffering serious consequences ”.

COPD is the cause of 18,000 annual deaths in Spain and its detection time significantly improves the quality of life of those who suffer from it. Forecasts indicate that COPD can become a problem health partner of particular relevance due to tobacco, the increase of the Spanish population and the gradual ageing of the same. Prevention and early diagnosis are indispensable to put an end to these dramatic figures ”-says Dr. Ancochea.

Diagnosis and early against COPD treatment

According to this reality, there are several analyses carried out showing the benefits of early treatment of COPD. Within the framework of the annual Congress of the European Respiratory Society in Vienna, presented data from a new analysis post-hoc test UPLIFT ® (Understanding Potential Long-term Impacts on Function with Tiotropium) showing that administered tiotropium in COPD patients more young (under 50 years) reduces the rate of deterioration in lung function (FEV 1 posbroncodilatador) by 34 percent after 4 years. The analysis also showed that tiotropium is improving the quality of life and to reduce the number of acute episodes, the cause of the deterioration of the clinical progression of the disease by 27 percent.

On the other hand, a prespecified subgroup analysis of UPLIFT ® recently published in the Lancet, has shown that tiotropium may delay the progression of COPD in patients with disease in early stages (stage II of GOLD), as it has been determined by the rate of deterioration in lung function (FEV 1 posbroncodilatador). Stage II of GOLD is normally achieved when the patient begins to perceive that their lung function is abnormal and suffering breathlessness of effort. Patients typically attend her primary care physician in search of treatment for the symptoms of COPD at this stage. This analysis involved 2.739 patients, which represents the largest group of patients with COPD studied at an early stage of the disease.

The social and economic burden of COPD increases steadily, since patients are less independent as the disease worsens. As COPD progresses, lung function deteriorates and physical activity is seriously limited, which makes the patient and their carers to enjoy a normal life and interferes with everyday tasks and participation in family routines.

Obstructive Chronic pulmonary disease data

Between the disease more disabling, COPD is located at position # 12 and it is estimated that in 2012 happens to occupy fifth place. COPD causes 49 deaths a day in Spain and is the leading cause of avoidable death in Spain. Furthermore, under-diagnosis of the respiratory disease currently exceeds 70 per cent and it is estimated that about 20 percent of Spanish smokers develop this disease. The annual cost of this pathology stood at € 3.0 billion, of which 84 percent correspond to hospital admissions. The cost of care to patients with COPD is calculated as an average of 1,876 euros annual direct cost to the year.

More information on COPD: www.mundoepoc.es.

Boehringer Ingelheim and Pfizer, a commitment to joint in the fight against the disease

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