Pulmonary conditions to affect 100,000 by 2020

THE NUMBER of people with serious breathing difficulties is expected to reach 100,000 by 2020 but the real prevalence could be twice that, according to new data.

The incidence of emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will increase by an estimated 23 per cent between now and 2020 as the population ages. Currently some 82,000 Irish people are being treated for the condition.

Those affected by what is known as chronic airflow obstruction (CAO) will be concentrated mostly in the poorer segments of society, according to the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH).

CAO is closely linked to smoking. The prevalence of smoking is almost twice as high in the poorest DE category of society (28.3 per cent) than it is among the AB professional classes (15 per cent).

IPH research analyst Steve Barron said the main factor driving the increase was the ageing population. An average of 2.5 per cent of the population have the condition but that rises to more than 6 per cent among those over 65. Mr Barron said serious lung disease often sets in after the age of 35 and is progressive and not reversible.

However, he said it was also largely preventable as those who do not smoke or give up smoking significantly increase their chances of not getting it.

Mr Barron said because those conditions were often irreversible, the important thing was the promotion of a healthier lifestyle which would moderate the projected increases.

Irish Thoracic Society president Dr Edward McKone said early intervention was critical in dealing with lung damage before it sets in.

“A key message for policy-makers emanating from this report is that only by increasing awareness of the causes, symptoms and importance of early diagnosis will we begin to reduce the burden of this disease,” he said.

Separately, the IPH recently issued a report finding that the number of adults over the age of 45 in the Republic with hypertension (high blood pressure) is expected to rise to more than 1.2 million people or 63 per cent of the population in that age category by 2020.

Prof Ivan Perry of UCC described the prevalence as a looming “mass epidemic” and he warned there was no “magic bullet” solution. He said the report emphasised the importance of weight control, healthy diet and regular exercise in the prevention and management of hypertension.