COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a long-term and progressive lung disease that involves inflammation and thickening of the airways.¹ Over time the airways become increasingly blocked, making it more difficult to breathe.

As breathing in and out becomes more restricted, less oxygen can enter the bloodstream to reach the rest of the body’s cells; and less carbon dioxide can be exhaled, so it remains in the body as a toxin.

There is no cure for COPD. But treatments are available, including medications, oxygen therapy and non-invasive ventilation to help people live longer and improve their quality of life.

COPD is made up of 2 chronic conditions:

1. Chronic bronchitis is a lasting inflammation of the airways that causes persistent cough with mucus secretion; and
2. Emphysema causes irreversible damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in lung tissue and results in shortness of breath.

Causes of COPD

Roughly 80–90% of COPD cases are caused by tobacco smoke (both use and secondhand).¹ In fact, roughly 25% of chronic smokers are diagnosed with COPD.²

Other risk factors include frequent childhood respiratory infections, exposure to air pollution, and occupational exposure to dust and chemicals.³

How common is COPD?

COPD is more common than you might realise. According to the latest figures, 65 million people around the world are living with moderate to severe COPD.³ 

In Asia, COPD prevalence is around 6%, with country-specific rates sitting at 3.5–6.7%.⁴

In Europe, COPD prevalence is 4–10% of the adult population. On a country by country basis, the estimates are:

• 3 million in the UK
• 3.5 million in France
• 2.7 million in Germany
• 2.6 million in Italy
• 1.5 million in Spain.⁵

Although COPD is often seen as a smoker’s disease, multiple studies have indicated that 1 in 5 patients diagnosed with COPD have never smoked.^6,7

Symptoms of COPD

COPD usually takes years to develop. The earliest signs may be shortness of breath when climbing stairs or working around the house. Because breathing is such hard work, you may feel constantly tired. You may also have a regular cough, and build-up of mucus.

Air pollution, allergies, colds and influenza may cause COPD flare-ups, otherwise known as acute exacerbations.⁷ If you are a smoker, you may also get frequent lung infections that can lead to pneumonia.

A social problem

People with COPD often require hospital admissions for treatment. Each hospitalisation not only places a tremendous burden on healthcare resources, but also on patients and their families.

With the goal of fostering healthier individuals and communities, hospitals, insurance providers, care providers and patients are all looking for better solutions for the long-term care and management of COPD.

An economic problem

As the third leading cause of death worldwide, COPD is estimated to claim over 3 million lives globally every year. And as the population ages, deaths from COPD are projected to increase by more than 30% over the next decade.³

The growing number of COPD patients creates heavy economic burdens. The annual healthcare cost so far is already:

• €38.6 billion in Europe¹
• $USD49.9 billion in the United States¹
• $929 million in Australia⁸

Along with smoking cessation, drug therapy, rehabilitation and good nutrition, adding non-invasive ventilation to your treatment may help you stay out of hospital,⁹ and enjoy an improved quality of life.¹⁰

See the bigger COPD picture