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Lung disease rates 'on the rise' Lung disease rates 'on the rise'
(about 2 hours later)
Rates of incurable lung disease are higher than previously thought, an international study suggests. Rates of incurable lung disease are higher than previously thought, a study across 12 countries suggests.
Tests in almost 9,500 adults aged over 40 found one in 10 had chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD), which causes breathing difficulties.Tests in almost 9,500 adults aged over 40 found one in 10 had chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD), which causes breathing difficulties.
Rates are set to rise further as the population ages, reported the researchers in the Lancet study. Rates are set to rise further as the population ages, reported the US researchers in the Lancet study.
COPD is currently the fifth leading cause of death worldwide but is set to become the third leading cause by 2020.COPD is currently the fifth leading cause of death worldwide but is set to become the third leading cause by 2020.
COPD is an umbrella term for a range of conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.COPD is an umbrella term for a range of conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
There are an estimated two million people in the UK who have COPD but have not been diagnosed.There are an estimated two million people in the UK who have COPD but have not been diagnosed.
Smoking linkSmoking link
Researchers from Oregon Health and Science University carried out spirometry tests to measure breathing in individuals from 12 countries.Researchers from Oregon Health and Science University carried out spirometry tests to measure breathing in individuals from 12 countries.
They found 11.8% of men and 8.5% of women had moderate or higher stage COPD - more than has been reported in other studies.They found 11.8% of men and 8.5% of women had moderate or higher stage COPD - more than has been reported in other studies.
There was also a strong link with age with the risk of the disease almost doubling with every 10 years over the age of 40.There was also a strong link with age with the risk of the disease almost doubling with every 10 years over the age of 40.
The research also highlights how much more work is needed to improve our understanding of how environmental, socioeconomic and other factors can cause COPD Dame Helena Shovelton, British Lung FoundationThe research also highlights how much more work is needed to improve our understanding of how environmental, socioeconomic and other factors can cause COPD Dame Helena Shovelton, British Lung Foundation
Smoking is a major factor in developing the disease and explains much of the difference between rates in men and women.Smoking is a major factor in developing the disease and explains much of the difference between rates in men and women.
But the researchers also found a fairly high prevalence of COPD in individuals who had never smoked, which they said raises questions about genetic susceptibility.But the researchers also found a fairly high prevalence of COPD in individuals who had never smoked, which they said raises questions about genetic susceptibility.
"This worldwide study showed higher levels and more advanced staging of spirometrically confirmed COPD than have typically been reported," said study leader Dr Sonia Buist."This worldwide study showed higher levels and more advanced staging of spirometrically confirmed COPD than have typically been reported," said study leader Dr Sonia Buist.
Encouraging people to stop smoking was becoming increasingly important as people were living longer, she concluded.Encouraging people to stop smoking was becoming increasingly important as people were living longer, she concluded.
But she said because of ageing populations "if every smoker in the world were to stop smoking today, the rates of COPD would probably continue to increase for the next 20 years".But she said because of ageing populations "if every smoker in the world were to stop smoking today, the rates of COPD would probably continue to increase for the next 20 years".
A separate study in the same issue of the Lancet found that poor lung function shortly after birth is associated with poor lung function in early adulthood.A separate study in the same issue of the Lancet found that poor lung function shortly after birth is associated with poor lung function in early adulthood.
Better understanding of lung development in the womb may help to prevent COPD in later life, the researchers concluded.Better understanding of lung development in the womb may help to prevent COPD in later life, the researchers concluded.
Dame Helena Shovelton, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation said: "There are people with COPD who have never smoked and this research shows that deprivation, dust exposure and lung development in the womb play a vital role in causing the disease.Dame Helena Shovelton, chief executive of the British Lung Foundation said: "There are people with COPD who have never smoked and this research shows that deprivation, dust exposure and lung development in the womb play a vital role in causing the disease.
"The research also highlights how much more work is needed to improve our understanding of how environmental, socioeconomic and other factors can cause COPD.""The research also highlights how much more work is needed to improve our understanding of how environmental, socioeconomic and other factors can cause COPD."