Asthmatics 12 times more likely to develop chronic lung disease

Main Category: COPD
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 13 Jul 2004 - 16:00 PDT


A study has revealed that asthmatics are 12 times more likely to develop chronic lung disease than non-asthmatics. The study, carried out at the University of Arizona, took over 20 years to complete and found that the risk of developing COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) for an asthmatic is twelve times higher than someone who does not suffer from asthma.

The researchers said that it is crucial to understand the link between COPD and asthma. This could eventually help us detect the condition earlier and offer better treatment.

Such conditions as chronic bronchitis and emphysema come under the term COPD.

Experts say that asthma does not cause permanent lung damage.

Study leader was Dr. Graciela Silva, Arizona University, USA. Dr. Silva said to the Daily Mail 'For many years, asthma and COPD have been regarded as distinct conditions, with separate clinical courses. However, over time, the two diseases may develop features that are quite similar. Our study shows a strong link between asthma diagnosis and the development of COPD, which suggest they may share a common background.'

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is an umbrella term for two respiratory illnesses -- chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. There are 16 million Americans who have been diagnosed with COPD, of whom 14 million have chronic bronchitis and 2 million have emphysema.

COPD results primarily from smoking tobacco. Years of smoking cause damage to the airways in the lungs. This lung damage continues to progress with the use of tobacco. Average current and former smokers will likely not notice or acknowledge symptoms for several years. Typically, they will begin noticing the first symptoms of shortness of breath when they reach their 40s. However, earlier signs of COPD are often present. These include chronic cough and increased mucus production. Recognizing these early signs is important because lifestyle modifications, such as smoking cessation and avoiding respiratory irritants, can be made to prevent additional damage to the airways.

In technical terms, COPD is a slowly progressive disease that is characterized by a decrease in the ability of the lungs to maintain the body's oxygen supply and remove carbon dioxide. As a result of this decrease in lung function, COPDpatients alter their lifestyles because they become short of breath after minimal exertion. For example, instead of climbing a flight of stairs COPD patients take the elevator. Physical activities also take longer to complete. Lawn mowing that a COPD patient might have finished in 40 minutes only a year ago may now take an hour to do.

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