Respiratory disease on rise, but mortality declines
According to new research conducted at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), the number of adults over 35-years-old diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has increased 64.8 per cent from 1996 to 2007.
COPD is a chronic, progressive respiratory disease that is incurable; it can, however, be prevented and sufferers' conditions can be improved with treatment.
More than 700,000 Ontarians over 35 live with this disease – that's 10 per cent of Ontario's adult population. But the news is not all bad. Survival for people with COPD is improving.
"COPD has a large impact on individuals, their families and the health system. Despite improvements in overall survival, it remains the fourth leading cause of death in North America and the leading cause of hospitalization in Canada," says ICES scientist and respirologist at Sunnybrook, Dr. Andrea Gershon.
"To the best of our knowledge, this is the first large scale study to examine COPD prevalence over time and document its upward trend. Hopefully in the long run COPD will be defeated through smoking prevention programs – but right now it is important that we provide optimal care and services for people with this unfortunate disease," she adds.
