COPD is a major health problem in the EU

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is among the leading causes of chronic morbidity and mortality in the EU. COPD imposes a significant burden on the individual patient and society, causing disability and impairing quality of life, as well as generating high costs.

COPD prevalence may be underestimated

It is estimated that 4-10% of adults in the European Union has COPD. Research has suggested, that COPD may be seriously under-diagnosed in some countries. Its prevalence and the burden of disease are therefore probably higher than estimated. The differences in estimates may partially explain the significant differences in COPD-prevalence among EU countries, as well as discrepancies between the smoking prevalence and the COPD prevalence. Comparable data for COPD prevalence are not available for all EU countries.

COPD prevalence is expected to rise

Smoking is the main risk factor for COPD. Patterns of COPD prevalence follow patterns of smoking prevalence in the population with a delay of several decades. COPD prevalence is thus expected to increase in most parts of the world. In addition, COPD prevalence increases with age. The ageing of the EU population will further contribute to the burden of COPD.

COPD is largely avoidable, under-diagnosed and under-treated

It has been estimated that tobacco smoking causes 80-90% of all COPD cases. Environmental pollutants, such as biomass fuels used for cooking and heating, may also contribute to the COPD prevalence. Appropriate interventions can address these risk factors. An improved and uniform criteria for the diagnosis of COPD across the EU may contribute to both, more reliable diagnosis and comparability of data. Likewise, there is considerable room for improvement in treatment of COPD. In some studies, up to 65% of patients did not receive optimal treatment. Suboptimal treatment increases the probability for the exacerbations of the disease and negatively affects the outcomes for the individual patient and the society.