Vietnamese people have the highest rate of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Asia

Associate Professor Dr. Dao Xuan Co, Director of Bach Mai Hospital, said the above information at Rally and scientific conference in response to Global Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day 2024November 15.

COPD is a common disease in the world, with more than 380 million people suffering from the disease. This is also the third leading cause of death globally. It is estimated that 3 million people globally die each year from COPD. The number is expected to continue to increase as the world’s population ages and is exposed to risk factors such as cigarette smoke, dust, and toxic gases.

The disease is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation due to abnormalities of the airways, or alveoli. Research around the world shows that the rate of COPD in people aged 30-79 is 10%; Of which 80% of patients live in low- and middle-income countries.

People with the disease in the early stages often have symptoms of cough, prolonged phlegm, and difficulty breathing. In the later stages, the patient becomes more severe and has difficulty breathing more often, with light or continuous exertion. The patient’s condition may worsen when experiencing exacerbations. When COPD patients have an acute attack, they will have severe difficulty breathing and must be intubated or mechanically ventilated immediately.

Preventive medications for COPD patients are mostly covered by health insurance. In case health insurance does not pay, patients must take preventive medicine at home, which costs an average of about 1.5 million VND a month. When patients experience complications, treatment costs can increase 13 times, up to more than 200 million VND per year.

Dr. Nguyen Minh Hang, Deputy Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, said COPD cannot be cured but symptoms can be improved if smoking and exposure to risk factors are avoided. Get vaccinated, especially influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, to prevent respiratory infections. Maintain physical activity such as regular exercise or physical therapy to restore lung function, and always ensure a healthy diet rich in antioxidants.

In Vietnam, activities to prevent COPD and bronchial asthma began in 2011 in the National strategy on prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. Bach Mai Hospital has established and maintained the operation of more than 300 outpatient management rooms, 3,000 commune/ward health stations deploying preventive activities and early detection of COPD patients, 700,000 people with COPD and bronchial asthma have been treated. management at medical facilities.

But Nga