Lung diseases frequent cause of death

Pulmonary disease is the leading cause of death statistics worldwide

08/26/2013

Nearly 20 years ago, a worldwide increase in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was predicted. Together, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank and researchers of the „School of Public Health“ At Harvard University in 1991, an international project was launched to record illnesses, deaths, and disability rates, as well as to analyze their risk factors. 486 scientists in 301 institutions from 50 countries have been working for several years to compile and analyze the data. The predicted increase in lung disease to No. 3 in the cause of death statistics has actually occurred.

Recently, the most recent results of the so-called Global Burden of Disease study have been published (New England Journal of Medicine). For the German Society of Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine eV (DGP) an opportunity to point out important facts that are otherwise rather not the focus of the general public.

Various lung diseases among the ten most common causes of death
The world's top ten causes of death are the world's top causes of lung cancer. Lung cancer climbed from eighth to fifth in the observation period. In fourth place is the pneumonia and tenth place tuberculosis. Thus, diseases of the lungs and the respiratory system account for a large proportion of the causes of death worldwide. In the US, three of the ten leading causes of death are also associated with three lung diseases. The lung cancer is third after the stroke and the coronary heart disease. In fifth place the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD: also known as smoker's cough) and in seventh place the pneumonia.

Massive impairment of the quality of life in lung diseases
The degree of impairment of the quality of life caused by a disease is indicated by the index value DALY (Disability Adjusted Life Years). Taking into account this reduction in quality of life, the COPD even takes second place. But not only in the rich industrialized countries, according to World Bank countries with a per capita income of more than 12,500 US dollars, but also globally, lung diseases are on the rise. If one compares the worldwide DALY value of pneumonia, lung cancer, COPD, and tuberculosis this is disproportionately increased in the USA. Only the quality of care for patients with COPD has not worsened over the years from 1991 to 2010, at least in the US. The degree of impairment of quality of life due to pneumonia, COPD, tuberculosis and lung cancer is very high compared to other diseases. Here, for example, the COPD is still significantly ahead of diabetes mellitus or protein deficiency as a result of malnutrition.

The risk factors for diseases were also examined more closely by the researchers. Thus, the so-called passive cigarette smoking is an important risk factor in the development of COPD and lung cancer. He is ranked number 2 in the major risk factors (high blood pressure). Overall, smoking is increasing worldwide.

The results are reason enough for the German Society of Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine (DGP) to raise awareness about the importance of lung diseases and the deficits in the care of patients with lung diseases. Prevention strategies to combat tobacco use and improve air quality must be pursued, despite positive developments in Germany. The development of newer and better therapies for COPD, asthma, lung cancer or pneumonia should be intensified, according to the experts. For this purpose, a nationwide anchoring of pneumology is required.

Many clinics do not have specialized pneumatology departments, and only nine of the 36 medical universities have their own professorships. Germany is one of the laggards in Europe in this regard. But in terms of health research Germany has made a turnaround. Six health centers, one especially for lung research, are now available as health science facilities. Improved precaution and diagnosis as well as individualized therapies with optimal patient care are in the foreground of the research. The main goal in the study of lung diseases are asthma and allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, acute respiratory failure in the Intensive care, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension and lung cancer. All of these diseases can lead to chronic lung failure and require lung transplantation. (Fr)

Picture credits: Dieter Schütz