Management of COPD in Asia: A position statement of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology. Issue 10 (5th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rhee, Chin Kook; Chau, Ngo Quy; Yunus, Faisal; Matsunaga, Kazuto; Perng, Diahn‐Warng
• Is Part Of: Respirology. Volume 24:Issue 10(2019)
• Page Start: 1018
• Page End: 1025
• Publication Date: 2019-07-05
• Subjects: air pollution -- bronchiectasis -- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- tuberculosis; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory organs -- Periodicals; 612.2
• DOI: 10.1111/resp.13633
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1323-7799

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major disease in Asia. However, how to manage specifically Asian COPD patients has not been proposed. Awareness of COPD is very low and underdiagnosis/undertreatment is common in Asian countries. Low utilization of pulmonary function test and inhalers is also a problem. Moreover, high smoking prevalence and air pollution are barriers to managing Asian patients with COPD. The relatively low body mass index of Asian patients with COPD can increase their risk for experiencing adverse effects from COPD drugs. Physicians should consider the unique features of Asian populations with COPD such as the high prevalence rates of bronchiectasis and tuberculosis‐destroyed lungs, biomass smoke exposure and parasitic infection.