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WORLD COPD DAY - NOVEMBER 16, 2005
World COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Day is an annual event developed by GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) in order to increase awareness about COPD and to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The theme of World COPD Day will be "Breathless not Helpless".
COPD is a disease state characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually both progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases.1
According to the American Lung Association, approximately 80 to 90 percent of COPD deaths are caused by smoking.2 Other causes include cumulative exposure to occupational dusts or vapors, and indoor or outdoor air pollution.
Based on 2004 data, COPD ranks as the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, trailing only cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, and HIV/AIDS.3 COPD is the fifth most common cause of death in North America today and is the only leading cause of death that is rising in prevalence.4 The increase in prevalence can be associated with increased tobacco use as well as the changing age structure of the population in developing countries.1
COPD is largely under-diagnosed as many people experiencing symptoms of COPD view them as a natural part of aging and do not visit a doctor until the disease is moderately advanced. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released a report, stating that as many as 24 million people in the United States have COPD. This is more than double the number of people who have actually been diagnosed with the disease.2
COPD is not a reversible condition, however, treatment can slow its progression. Bronchodilator medications are central to the symptomatic management of the disease. COPD is generally a disease affecting adults over 60 years of age.4 According to the NICE COPD Guidelines, "a pMDI alone is rarely suitable for use with the elderly".5 The most common problems that the elderly have with MDI technique are failure to coordinate activation with inspiration and failure to hold their breath after inspiration. Both of these problems can be alleviated with the use of a holding chamber attached to the canister.6
The AeroChamber* Brand of Valved Holding Chambers (VHCs) offers a family of devices, designed for each specific patient type. Demonstrating consistent aerosol drug delivery across a wide range of formulations and with support in over 300 studies, the AeroChamber* brand of VHC is the most recommended in the world.
Trudell Medical International develops and manufactures pharmaceutical aerosol drug delivery devices for human and animal health application, including the AeroChamber* brand of VHC's. With a dedication to providing unsurpassed quality products for the management of asthma and COPD, we take our role within respiratory disease management very seriously. We support the need for World COPD Day and the importance of raising global awareness of this chronic lung disease.
1. Global
Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD)
2. American Lung Association
3. World Health Organization
4. Canadian Lung Association
5. NICE, COPD Guidelines
6. Barbee RA, Balancing the therapeutic needs of elderly
asthmatics. J Respir
Dis 1995; 16(2):114-122
* trade marks and registered trade marks of Trudell Medical International
© Trudell Medical International 2005. All rights reserved
MD-319A-1105