WORLD COPD DAY                   ( 18 NOVEMBER)

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What is COPD?

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COPD [Chronic (Chronic) Obstructive Pulmonary Disease] is a progressive lung disease caused by an inflammation in the airways that is not caused by microbes. It is a common, preventable and treatable lung disease, characterized by persistent respiratory complaints and airflow limitation caused by abnormalities in the airways and/or air sacs, usually caused by personal factors such as exposure to harmful dust and gas and inadequate lung development.

How often does this disease occur?

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The incidence of COPD has been reported to be 11.7% in adults over 40 years of age in the world, and in Turkey, although it varies regionally, it has increased to 19.1%.

Respiratory system diseases are the third leading cause of death in Turkey and 45.6% of these deaths are due to COPD.

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The most common risk factor for the development of COPD worldwide is exposure to tobacco products (cigarettes, hookahs, cigars, heated tobacco products). Environmental tobacco smoke exposure also contributes to the development of COPD.

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Patient factors associated with inadequate lung development (low birth weight, frequent childhood respiratory tract infections), inequality in health, indoor and outdoor air pollution primarily due to biomass (wood, dung, similar fuel), working in dusty, smoky workplaces. are risk factors.

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The most common complaints in COPD are shortness of breath, cough and sputum production.

Is it possible to treat COPD?

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People diagnosed with COPD should quit smoking, avoid harmful dust, gas smoke, air pollution and electronic cigarette use, which has proven harmful effects.

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In the treatment of COPD, it is aimed to prevent the narrowing of the airways and fire with drugs applied through the respiratory tract, called “inhalers” with breathing properties. Patients with COPD with respiratory failure may need treatments such as home oxygen therapy and/or home respirator therapy.

In order to prevent attacks and pneumonia that affect the worsening and course of the disease and even cause death, influenza and pneumonia vaccinations and inhaled drug treatments should be applied properly.

In addition to these treatments, the implementation of physical activity and, if necessary, pulmonary rehabilitation ensures that patients' daily lives become better quality.

COPD and COVID-19

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With the reporting of the first COVID-19 case in Turkey, our country has entered the pandemic process. As in all areas of life, patients with chronic diseases and health centers that care for them were also affected by this process.

Although COVID-19 is not seen more frequently in COPD patients, it has been reported that the risk of severe COVID-19 disease increases 5 times in COPD patients. COPD patients, like all members of the society, should take standard personal protective measures against COVID-19.

The main target in COPD patients; It is to keep the disease stable without making any changes in the current maintenance treatment of the disease (by continuing to use the COPD drugs used in the same way as before the pandemic). Oxygen and home respirator treatments should be continued in the same way.

Complaints associated with a COPD attack can also be seen in COVID-19 infection, so an accurate diagnosis is necessary.

Studies have found that face-to-face clinical visits have decreased due to the pandemic, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs have also been interrupted. COPD patients preferred to spend their exacerbation periods at home. For these processes, telehealth "remote or online" health applications are developed and COPD patients are supported.

REFERENCE:

1.Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health

2.Turkish Thoracic Society

3.Turkey GARD