Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive and debilitating respiratory condition that leads to heavy burdens, both medically and financially. It affects millions of people worldwide and causes high levels of morbidity and mortality. Indeed, this disease was the third leading cause of death in 2016. The lack of knowledge of the risk factors and symptoms associated with the pathology leads to underestimating this health problem and under-diagnosing it. This I-Com study emphasizes that prevention is fundamental to minimize the risk factors and concludes that informing citizens more about the risk factors, the symptoms and the available treatments, results in preventing the onset of new cases, diagnosing the currently underestimated cases and improving therapeutic adherence. Promoting good therapeutic adherence is very important in increasing treatment effectiveness and improving COPD patient safety and quality of life. Greater efficacy, greater speed of action and the use of a single device are the main unmet needs of patients regarding treatment.
Year: 2018
N° of pages: 46
Authors: Cinzia Aru and Davide Integlia
