The GOLD Summit on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the top three causes of death worldwide, but governments and non-governmental organisations have not given its prevention and treatment the priority it requires. This is particularly true in low- and middle-income countries, where most of the people suffering from this disease live. The United Nations (UN) has targeted a reduction of premature deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by a third by 2030; however, a coordinated UN/World Health Organization (WHO) strategy to address the burden of COPD (one of the most important NCDs) is still lacking. To explore the extent of the problem and inform the development of policies to improve the situation, the Board of Directors of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) held a 1-day Summit. The key themes that emerged were the need to ensure accurate data on prevalence, raise awareness of the disease among the public, healthcare professionals and governments, including the fact that COPD aetiology goes beyond smoking (and other inhaled pollutants) and includes poor lung development in early life, and ensure that spirometry and both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies are available and affordable. Here, we present the actions that must be taken to address the impact of COPD. We believe that the WHO is particularly well-positioned to co-ordinate an attack on COPD, and GOLD will do all it can to help and rally support.

Clinical features of Japanese patients with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…Author details 1 Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, 5-1-1 Nabeshima, Saga, Saga Prefecture 849-8501, Japan. 2 Clinical Research Center, Saga University Hospital, Saga, Japan.…”

“…Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disease, with a reported global prevalence of 251 million cases, and it is also an important life-threatening lung disease that is predicted to become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030 [1]. Exacerbation is one of the crucial events in patients with COPD, triggered by respiratory infections with bacteria and viruses and other factors such as pollution [2,3].…”

Low-dose theophylline in addition to ICS therapy in COPD patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The airflow limitation is caused by significant exposure to noxious particles or gases [1]. COPD has now become one of the top three causes of death worldwide, and 90% of these deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) [2]. With aging of the population and continued exposure to COPD risk factors, the economic burden of COPD worldwide is projected to increase in the coming decades [3].…”

Associations of Exercise Tolerance and Clinical Parameters in Japanese Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Impact of Skeletal Muscle

“…Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disease, with a reported global prevalence of 251 million cases 1 , and it is considered a life-threatening disease with decreasing pulmonary function and airflow limitation 2 .…”