“Doxa Pharma’s recent survey on COPD has shown that attention to respiratory diseases has increased. This phenomenon can probably be attributed to the fact that during the Covid pandemic the symptoms and alterations to pay attention to were focused on the respiratory system. This situation has brought the respiratory problem to receive greater attention, even in the current phase. With the consequence that the patient turns to his doctor or specialist for more detailed information.” This was said by Pierachille Santus, professor of Respiratory Diseases at the University of Milan and director of the complex Pneumology operational unit of the Luigi Sacco hospital in Milan, on the occasion of the press conference organized in Milan by GSK, during which the results of the survey conducted by Doxa Pharma, which involved 100 pulmonologists, regarding the topic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, were presented.
“Another important aspect that emerged from this survey is that women are more attentive than men both to the issue of the disease and therefore to the importance of arriving at a diagnosis, but above all to correct and constant treatment. It is an extremely interesting and important fact – underlines the expert – which I believe focuses on the fact that women are a clear example for men to follow”.
“Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a chronic pathology that affects the airways and the lung parenchyma and could be summarized with the term pulmonary emphysema – adds Santus – It is a disease linked to cigarette smoking in the vast majority of cases and is characterized by pathophysiological alteration linked to airway obstruction and pulmonary hyperinflation, i.e. an accumulation of air that makes breathing and lung movements difficult. The characteristic symptoms are dyspnoea, which has a progressive trend over time, cough and phlegm, all present chronically. The treatment strategy of choice involves first reaching a diagnosis as early as possible and starting inhalation therapy immediately. Today – the expert points out – we have the possibility of having very effective therapies available, with low side effects, capable of controlling the symptoms and above all of reducing the rate of bronchitic exacerbations, hospitalizations and mortality”. It is “clear and it is clear that the earlier the therapy is started, the greater the benefit that can be obtained”, he concludes.
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