PCCP Battles COPD, Launches Patient Awareness Campaign

October is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prevention month, and the Philippine College of Chest Physicians goes all out with a nationwide COPD awareness drive to inform people of its consequences and proper treatment. In the process, the PCCP hopes to stem the rising threat of this health menace.

    The campaign includes holding radio and television interviews about the disease, publication of stories and feature articles, distribution of posters, and holding lay forums. PCCP will also launch COPD support groups nationwide to help patients cope better with their condition.

    COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, the third leading cause of disability and the fifth most common cause of death in North America today. And its prevalence continues to rise.

    In 1992, COPD and allied conditions ranked seventh among the 10 leading causes of mortality in the Philippines (Philippine Health Statistics) with a rate of 14.4 per 100,000, up by 17 percent from previous levels. COPD is generally underdiagnosed, chiefly in its milder and more treatable forms.

    The term COPD refers to long-standing (chronic) lung (pulmonary) conditions manifesting with signs and symptoms ("disease") that are caused by blockage (obstruction) of the airways in the lungs. The blockage of already narrowed air passages prevents the free-flow of air most noted when the individual is breathing out.

    The most common form of COPD is a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

    Chronic bronchitis occurs when the airways in the lungs have become narrow and partly clogged with mucus. Cough and sputum are present for more than three months for two consecutive years. If airways obstruction is present, COPD is indicated.

    Emphysema occurs when some of the air sacs deep in the lungs have been damaged. Emphysema is an enlargement and destruction of the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs. This causes the surrounding airways to collapse.

    Meanwhile, the PCCP Central and Northern Luzon Chapter will hold its midyear convention November 28-30 in Baguio City with the theme Ikaw LUNG ang Mamahalin.

    A faculty of local chest specialists will deliver lectures during the scientific sessions highlighting bronchial asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, and COPD, the three most common chest illnesses in the country.

    Dr. Sylvia Banal-Yang, convention chair, said the convention will have three plenary sessions with the following sub-themes:

•     Hika: Gaano ka kamahal? to explain the pathophysiology of asthma, assess and plan its management based on severity using conventional and affordable alternatives, and compare the cost effectiveness of giving early antiinflammatory treatment to prevent complicated outcomes.

•     PTB: Pangako sa Iyo, Iinumin ko to assess the impact of pulmonary tuberculosis on morbidity and mortality, recognize government support for more effective treatment and evaluate its outcome, and identify centers for referral of treatment failure and drug resistance.

•     COPD: Hanggang sa Dulo ng WaLUNG hanggan to identify the risk factors and assess the burden of COPD, identify effective pharmacotherapy for tobacco dependence, and address the challenge of widespread adoption of exercise training program (pulmonary rehabilitation).

    Information may be obtained from Dr. Yang (63-44-4630940; 63-916-4978309).