Portugal Launches First National Study to Tackle widespread COPD Underdiagnosis
Lisbon, Portugal – A comprehensive nationwide study of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is now underway across mainland Portugal, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s understanding and management of this debilitating respiratory illness. Following a prosperous pilot phase, the research initiative aims to determine the true impact of COPD on the Portuguese population, assess the severity of the disease, and crucially, pinpoint previously unidentified risk factors contributing to its development.
“This is a groundbreaking moment for respiratory health in Portugal,” explains Jorge Ferreira, President of the Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia (SPP – Portuguese Society of Pneumology). “For the first time,we will have a robust epidemiological picture of COPD and related respiratory diseases across the country.This study will allow us to investigate the real prevalence of these conditions and characterize the individuals most affected, utilizing a truly innovative methodology.”
The study’s scope extends beyond conventional understandings of COPD causation. Researchers are moving beyond solely attributing the disease to smoking, recognizing the influence of factors present from early life.”our evolving understanding of COPD allows us to consider a broader range of influences,” Ferreira stated. “We can now correlate individual data, starting from birth, with lung function and the potential development of diseases like COPD. By including participants as young as 20, we anticipate uncovering risk factors that have never before been explored in this context, paving the way for more effective prevention and earlier intervention strategies.”
The need for this research is underscored by the significant, yet frequently enough unrecognized, burden of COPD. Currently ranked as the fourth leading cause of death globally and the fifth in Portugal, COPD remains largely unknown to the Portuguese public. A 2022 SPP survey revealed that over 70% of the population had never even heard of the disease - a progressive condition characterized by difficulty breathing due to restricted airflow in the lungs.
The study will proceed geographically, beginning in the North of Portugal and systematically expanding southward. Researchers plan to analyze data from a significant sample of 9,000 participants. The findings are anticipated to be available by the end of 2026, promising to reshape respiratory healthcare strategies in Portugal for years to come.
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