Jakarta: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic disease that causes serious illness and death in the world. According to the 2013 RISKESDAS prevalence data, it is estimated that there are more than 10 million people living with COPD in Indonesia, the majority of whom have a history of smoking or live in areas with air pollution.
“COPD is a chronic airway disease characterized by air flow obstruction, especially expiratory air and is slowly progressive, where it gets worse over time,” said dr. Budhi Antariksa, SpP (K), Ph.D, Lung Specialist, Asthma Consultant and COPD at Pers Friendship Hospital.
“COPD is caused by smoking, air pollution both indoors and outdoors. The onset of this disease is usually in middle age and does not disappear with treatment,” added Dr. Budhi.
“The symptoms of COPD are experiencing shortness of breath which increases with activity and increases with age accompanied by a cough with phlegm or having experienced shortness of breath accompanied by a cough with phlegm,” said dr. Budhi.
The decline in lung function due to COPD is more severe in smokers than in nonsmokers. In addition, decreased lung function in smokers can lead to disability. COPD patients usually cannot carry out daily activities independently and will depend on oxygen cylinders.
“Secondhand smoke is the most important risk factor for COPD. Apart from smoking, other risk factors such as socioeconomic status, employment, environmental pollution, childhood illnesses, and recurrent respiratory infections are also other risk factors for COPD, “said dr. Budhi.
According to dr. Budhi, the risk factors for COPD in Indonesia are high considering the prevalence of smokers in Indonesia is in the top three in the world. GATS data in 2013 shows that the prevalence of smokers in Indonesia aged more than 15 years is 67 percent for men.
(FIR)
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