The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) has today – following last week’s World No Tobacco Day – published new research which suggests that by 2020 the number of adults in the Republic of Ireland with diagnosed chronic breathing problems – otherwise known as chronic airflow obstruction (CAO) – is expected to increase to 101,000 from 82,000 in 2010.
Greater focus on prevention to reduce risk factors and promote healthier lifestyles will help moderate this increase
IPH Research Analyst Mr Steve Barron said that, “CAO is a chronic lung condition that interferes with normal breathing and includes conditions such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).”
Mr Barron outlined some of the key findings from the research including:
· In 2010 it is estimated that more than 82,000 (2.5%) adults aged 18+ years in RoI have been told by a doctor in the previous 12 months that they have CAO. This does not include undiagnosed CAO and is an underestimate of the number of people with the condition.
· Diagnosed CAO is more common among older people. In 2010 more than 6% of adults aged 65 years or over had clinically diagnosed CAO.
· Rates of diagnosed CAO are similar among men and women.
· By 2020 the number of adults with diagnosed CAO is expected to rise to almost 101,000 (2.8%). This represents a 23% increase in the number of adults with CAO in ten years.
The large numbers of adults living with diagnosed CAO, and the fact that those numbers are expected to increase dramatically, has significant implications for the individuals concerned, their families, as well as the health and social care system and Ireland’s economy. Mr Barron said that the implications could be even greater than these figures suggest because they do not include people with undiagnosed CAO and so are likely to be an underestimate of the true number of adults with CAO.
Professor Tim McDonnell, Lead, HSE National Clinical Programme for COPD said:
By highlighting the estimated current and future burden of CAO, an umbrella term for chronic bronchitis, emphysema COPD and asthma, this report provides a valuable insight into the considerable challenges facing our health services in alleviating this disease. The forecasted increase in clinically diagnosed cases in the decade up to 2020 is particularly startling. This, combined with high levels of under-diagnosis, is likely to pose a serious public health challenge and drain on our health services unless appropriate measures are set in place. The National Clinical Programme for COPD is currently working towards this – the data released today underline the scale of our task.”
International research suggests that for every diagnosed case of CAO there is another case that is undiagnosed. Finding these cases as early as possible is critical. Dr Edward McKone, President, Irish Thoracic Society also said: “In common with many respiratory diseases, a major factor in the under-diagnosis of CAO is poor general awareness of the condition among members of the public. Many people have symptoms of lung disease and do not seek medical advice. It is important to realise that symptoms such as breathlessness, cough and wheeze are not normal and if present should warrant a visit to your GP. Early diagnosis can lead to interventions that can reduce lung damage and prevent progression of disease. A key message for policy makers emanating from this report is that only by increasing awareness of the causes, symptoms and importance of early diagnosis will we begin to reduce the burden of this disease.”
World No Tobacco Day on 31 May highlighted the harmful effects of tobacco and cigarette smoking. These are the primary cause of CAO. The expected increases in CAO assume that risk factors – like cigarette smoking and air pollution – do not change over time. Mr Barron said “If CAO risk factors get worse, the expected increase in the number of adults with diagnosed CAO will be even greater. That’s why there needs to be a greater focus on prevention to reduce these risk factors. Healthier lifestyles and environments will help to moderate the projected increases.”
For more information contact:
Christine Walsh, Montague Communications, 085-1577127 or christine@montaguecomms.ie
Notes to the editor:
The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) promotes cooperation for public health on the island of Ireland.
The chronic airflow obstruction report and detailed data tables are available from the new Chronic Conditions Hub (www.chronicconditionshub.info) of the Health Well website.
CAO is responsible for a substantial amount of early deaths and reduced quality of life, indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one of the CAO conditions – COPD – is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide and predicts that it will soon become the third leading cause of death.
The research was conducted by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) in collaboration with the HRB Centre for Diet and Health Research at University College Cork and the Centre of Excellence for Public Health Northern Ireland at Queen’s University Belfast. It is based on an analysis of the latest national health survey, SLÁN, that was conducted in 2007.
