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COPD remains in most patients long unnoticed

lungs of a smoker who has signs of emphysema (Image: University of Iowa)

Toronto / Iowa City / Regensburg (pte/09.04.2010/06: 05) - Although smoking disease COPD (chronic obstructive Lung disease) is the fourth leading cause of death, many patients know nothing about it. One in five sufferers receive appropriate diagnosis despite no complaints from the family doctor, researchers report in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. "The real number of those living with an undiagnosed COPD, especially in its early phase is very high. In the time of detection determines the future life," says Michael Pfeifer of the German Society of lung specialists http://www.pneumologie pressrelease. de over.

Two of three patients unaware

The Canadian researchers examined the most important risk group for COPD, namely people from age 40 with at least 20 years of smoking career. One fifth of the 1,000 examinees suffered from COPD and more than three-quarters of at least one form of breathing problems such as smoker's cough. It was found that two of three patients had no knowledge of their disease and had at one in five GP visits have no such diagnosis. "People from the risk group should be closely examined by a doctor and treated as early as possible," says study author Roger Goldstein.

The reason for Pfeifer in the slow progression of COPD. "It starts slowly with reduced performance, adjust to those affected. to go shopping instead, they travel by car. And the cough and sputum as another early sign is in smokers very common and is often overlooked, "said the expert. Screening is important because it increases the chances of success of the intervention. Intervention is now only nicotine waiver because there are no effective drugs. Benefits Stop the smoke, but all. "He prevented the outbreak of the disease or rapid deterioration. The quality of life and life expectancy increases significantly. "

smokers avoid a doctor visit

blame for the late recognition of Pfeifer disease is above all the individuals affected "Many smokers avoid the doctor because of their bad conscience. Free lung function tests rather use Non smoking to confirm their intact lung." Due to lack of knowledge about COPD symptoms also were often misinterpreted. However, the GPs were in responsibility. "Often they do not make good quality lung function test or interpret changes in the early phase than normal." According to Pfeifer should the doctor make a diagnosis and then transfer to the lung specialist who can confirm or refine it.

to disease COPD, strictly speaking, describes a group similar to worse respiratory disease, is and pulmonary emphysema. Radiologist report to the University of Iowa in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that the CT emphysema, even before the first organic damage caused by changes in blood flow can find in the lung. "The discovery could help understand the causes of the disease and its differences from other lung diseases better and to confirm the efficacy of new therapies," said study author Eric Hoffman.

regularly lung function test

Pfeifer sees the CT detection only useful for scientific purposes. "The radiation dose and the high costs preclude clinical use." Useful for early detection, by contrast, the repeated lung function measurement in high-risk groups, namely regularly at intervals of one to two years. "An accelerated decline in function values offers the best means of early diagnosis. Used to be this way but are poorly," the lung specialist.

http://www.cmaj.ca/embargo/cmaj091784.pdf original article (end)