40% Of patients with COPD considers that the information received is insufficient.

-The GesEPOC project promotes a survey to learn the concerns and needs of patients

-A 53% are concerned that the disease limits its activity goes

-29% of patients calls for more coordination between doctors and receive more information about his illness

– in 50% of cases the couple plays a fundamental role in the care of the patient

Spain, November 2011- GesEPOC is a project promoted by the Spanish society of Pneumology and surgery thoracic (SEPAR), along with 10 scientific societies and institutions, in order to elaborate an operation manual for the treatment of the pulmonary chronic obstructive disease (COPD), which has three areas of action: the científico-médica, the patients affected by the disease and the communication and dissemination. In order to guide further work related to patients, GesEPOC has conducted a survey to 100 COPD patients and their families.

According to Dr. Joan Escarrabill, Member of the Executive Committee of GesEPOC and SeparPacientes Coordinator: this survey is limited but allows to observe trends and provides the basis for work in one of the challenges posed by GesEPOC which is to improve the participation of the patient in the decision-making and self-management of their disease ”.

Among the most important data, the survey reveals that 37% of patients would like to receive more information about the habits of life, 40% believed that the information received about the disease is insufficient and 29% calls for more coordination between doctors. With an average of 52 years at the time of diagnosis, 79% of patients who responded to the survey were men and 21% women. Answers patients and families revealed that 53% are concerned about the limitation of its goes activity that accompanies the COPD and a 27% fear need admissions. According to previous studies, the prevalence of COPD reaches 10.2 per cent of the Spaniards in adulthood and expected a significant increase in the coming years as the disease is closely linked to tobacco. Hence the importance of a project like GesEPOC which provides both a clinical guide for health professionals as materials for patients and caregivers.

another important fact of the survey is that COPD is a thing of two, as in 50% of cases the pair (usually the wife) plays a very important role in caring for the patient.

in health care, 30% of patients is in contact with four or more professional medical or health and this fact influence that 29% of them ask for more coordination between professionals and receive more information about their illness. As for times of crisis, the survey points that face a fiercer, 27% of patients medical without consulting your doctor and 29% would like to make decisions about their treatment.

COPD is not a curable disease, but with a diagnosis at early stage, good management of information and the treatments available today can be achieved the ailment did not progress and significantly lower the limitations in the daily life of the patient. GesEPOC is an initiative of the Spanish society for Pneumology and thoracic surgery (SEPAR) along with semFYC (society Spanish of family medicine and community), Semergen (Spanish society of primary care physicians), SEMG (Spanish society of General physicians and family)GRAP (society of respiratory in primary care), SEMI (Spanish society of internal medicine), SEMES (Spanish society of emergency medicine), SERMEF (Spanish society of rehabilitation and physical medicine), SORECAR (Spanish society of respiratory rehabilitation), CNPT (National Committee for the prevention of smoking), and the Spanish Forum of patients. They are strategic partners of the project GesEPOC: Almirall, AstraZéneca, Boehringer Ingelheim and Pfizer, Faes Farma, group Ferrer, GlaxoSmithKline, Nycomed and Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis and Bayern Schering; and collaborate Chiesi, Esteve Teijin and group Uriach.