New Report Suggests Progress in the Prevention of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

NORTHBROOK, Ill., April 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An updated analysis  from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a decrease in deaths among male patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a decline in hospitalizations for patients with COPD.  The report also reveals that rates of physician-based office and emergency department visits remained the same, but pointed to this as encouraging because there was no increase in visits. The report will be available in the "online first" section of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, on Thursday, April 25, as well as in the journal's print edition in July.

COPD is a serious health problem in the United States and a component of the third leading cause of mortality, chronic lower respiratory disease. People with COPD experience diminished quality of life, more disabilities and higher rates of coexisting medical conditions.  The report also reemphasizes that smoking is the dominant risk factor for COPD, indicating that many cases are potentially preventable.

"With 39% of surveyed COPD patients reporting they continue to smoke, there is an opportunity for physicians to counsel patients and refer them to smoking cessation programs," said Richard S. Irwin, MD, Master FCCP, Editor in Chief, CHEST. "Given the data contained in the CDC report, our hope is that we will see mortality rates decline in future years as we continue to see improved management of patients with COPD and their smoking habits."

The CDC released its initial report about COPD that contained data through the year 2000, in 2002. The current report analyzed data from 1999 to 2011 and used a number of sources including: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2011), National Health Interview Survey (1999-2011), National Ambulatory Care Medical Survey (1999-2010), National Hospital Ambulatory Care Medical Survey (1999-2010), National Hospital Discharge Survey (1999-2010), death certificate data from the National Vital Statistics System (1999-2010), and Medicare Part A hospital claims administrative data (1999-2010).

"The American Indian population had higher COPD prevalence, hospitalizations and death rates than other specific racial or ethnic groups.   This population would likely benefit from additional assistance in smoking cessation efforts because cigarette smoking is the leading risk factor for COPD," said Janet Croft, PhD, of CDC's Division of Population Health.  "People with respiratory symptoms (chronic coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and mucous production) should get a breathing test for early diagnosis and management of COPD to prevent hospitalizations and disability."

The full article was authored by Earl Ford, CDC, Division of Population Health; Janet Croft, CDC, Division of Population Health; David Mannino, University of Kentucky, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine; Anne Wheaton, CDC, Division of Population Health; Xingyou Zhang, CDC, Division of Population Health; and Wayne Giles, CDC, Division of Population Health.

For more COPD statistics and the full CDC study visit: http://journal.publications.chestnet.org/onlinefirst.aspx

About CHEST and The American College of Chest Physicians

CHEST is a peer-reviewed journal published by the ACCP. It is available online each month at http://journal.publications.chestnet.org. The ACCP is a global community of clinicians and allied health professionals working in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. The ACCP is recognized as a resource for advanced training through simulation education, conferences, and innovative courses. Headquartered in Northbrook, IL, the ACCP represents more than 18,700 members from more than 100 countries.

Statistical Highlights:

COPD.3-5 The direct economic cost attributable to COPD and asthma in 2008 has been estimated at $53.7 billion in the US.6 These costs include those for prescription medicines ($20.4 billion), outpatient or office-based providers ($13.2 billion), hospital inpatient stays ($13.1 billion), home health care ($4.0 billion), and emergency room visits ($3.1 billion).

SOURCE American College of Chest Physicians