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ResMed: COPD numbers ‘should be a warning’

ResMed: COPD numbers ‘should be a warning’

SAN DIEGO – More than 480 million people worldwide likely suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, according to a new abstract led by ResMed and presented on Sept. 4 at the European Respiratory Society Congress. This figure is 22% to 126% higher than today’s most cited estimates of 212 million to 392 million. “This number should be a warning,” said study co-author and ResMed Chief Medical Officer Carlos M. Nunez, M.D. “It should urge doctors to be more vigilant in screening and testing, since early treatment can enhance quality of life and longevity; urge people and their loved ones to learn and spot symptoms early; urge payers to help everyone take these proactive steps; and frankly inspire stronger, more immediate action to lower risk factors for COPD like smoking and air pollution. In less than a generation, we’re headed north of 600 million cases globally. But we can curb that number and help save millions of lives with education and meaningful action.” ResMed’s global analysis combined known cases of COPD, plus likely cases based on known risk factors, such as smoking, and other indoor and outdoor air pollution. Researchers expect the number of people who suffer from COPD to reach an estimated 592 million by 2050 if current risk factor trends continue. 

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