Chronic respiratory diseases

Factsheet

Key Facts

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive life­threatening lung disease that causes breathlessness (initially with exertion) and predisposes to exacerbations and serious illness.
• Globally, it is estimated that about 3 million deaths were caused by the disease in 2015 (that is, 5% of all deaths globally in that year).
• More than 90% of COPD deaths occur in low­ and middle­income countries.
• The primary cause of COPD is exposure to tobacco smoke (either active smoking or second­hand smoke).
• Other risk factors include exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution and occupational dusts and fumes.
• Some cases of COPD are due to long-term asthma.
• COPD is likely to increase in coming years due to higher smoking prevalence and aging populations in many countries.
• Many cases of COPD are preventable by avoidance or early cessation of smoking. Hence, it is important that countries adopt the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) and implement the MPOWER package of measures so that non-smoking becomes the norm globally.
• COPD is not curable, but treatment can relieve symptoms, improve quality of life and reduce the risk of death.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a lung disease that is characterized by a persistent reduction of airflow. The symptoms of COPD are progressively worsening and persistent breathlessness on exertion, eventually leading to breathlessness at rest. It tends to be under­diagnosed and can be life­threatening. The more familiar terms “chronic bronchitis” and “emphysema” have often been used as labels for the condition.

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) affect the airways and other structures of the lungs altering how one can breathe. Preventable CRDs include asthma and respiratory allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), occupational lung diseases, cancer, sleep apnoea and pulmonary hypertension.

The symptoms of COPD include breathlessness, abnormal amounts of mucus in the airways, and a chronic cough. Daily activities—such as walking or exercising—can become very difficult as the condition gradually worsens. The primary cause of COPD is tobacco smoke.

With asthma, there is inflammation that narrows the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs. This results in asthma symptoms, including coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. Asthma is increasing throughout the African Region, especially among children. Individuals who have schistosomiasis and sickle cell disease have an elevated risk of pulmonary hypertension, or high blood pressure within the lungs. 

The major risk factors for chronic respiratory diseases include tobacco smoke and other forms of indoor air pollution, allergens, household chemicals and outdoor pollution. There is strong evidence associating CRDs with living near roads with heavy traffic. Vehicles such as diesel-fuelled buses and Kombi vans are major sources of pollution in the Region.