Milan, February 29, 2024 – Nearly 400 million people worldwide live with the daily struggle of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive and often underestimated respiratory illness that’s now the third leading cause of death globally. Understanding COPD and its impact is crucial for improving outcomes for those affected.
A Silent Struggle: Why COPD Often Goes Undiagnosed
Table of Contents
COPD frequently develops subtly, with early symptoms like a persistent cough or smoker’s hoarseness often dismissed or minimized.
- COPD affects an estimated 400 million people globally.
- Cigarette smoking is responsible for approximately 80 percent of COPD cases.
- A new biological drug approved in 2024 offers a potential breakthrough in managing the disease.
- Integrated rehabilitation and mindfulness practices are essential for improving patients’ quality of life.
The insidious nature of COPD means many individuals aren’t diagnosed until they experience significant breathlessness, when the disease is already advanced. This delay impacts both clinical progression and quality of life. The challenges faced by COPD patients and their caregivers were recently discussed at the event «COPD has a new breath» in Milan.
The Heavy Burden on Daily Life
Living with COPD profoundly impacts daily life, making even simple tasks difficult. Work and social activities are often curtailed due to the fear of infections, even a common cold. Approximately 50 percent of people with COPD experience exacerbations – episodes that worsen symptoms and accelerate disease progression. “The daily life of those who live with the disease, especially in the more serious forms, is often dominated by ‘air hunger’ and the constant fear of flare-ups,” explains Simona Barbaglia, President of Let’s Breathe Together, APS and caregiver of a person with COPD. “The world is becoming smaller and smaller: walking up a flight of stairs or leaving the house become impossible tasks.” The burden extends to caregivers, often elderly spouses or children.
A New Therapeutic Option: Biological Drug Approved
In 2024, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the first biological drug for COPD treatment, offering new hope for patients. Authorization in Italy is anticipated soon. This monoclonal antibody, used as an adjunctive therapy for adults with uncontrolled COPD and type 2 inflammation, targets IL-4 and IL-13, reducing exacerbations and improving respiratory function, symptoms, and overall quality of life. “The exacerbation requires an additional therapeutic element as it increases the risk of future events,” explains Alberto Papi, Full Professor of respiratory system diseases and Director of the Respiratory Unit of the CardioRespiratory Department, Sant’Anna University Hospital, Ferrara, and a member of the GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) group. “Each exacerbation is a push downwards and the aggravation.”
Beyond Medication: The Importance of Holistic Care
Effective COPD management requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both physical and psychological well-being. Patients often experience anxiety and fear related to flare-ups. “It is an illness that never abandons the person,” says Maria Dolores Listanti, physiotherapist and mindfulness teacher of the COPD Patients Association. “Respiratory rehabilitation and mindfulness are not simple exercises, but essential tools that allow the patient and caregiver, once therapeutic stability has been achieved, to regain control of their breathing and manage the emotional load.”
Innovation and Access to Medicines
“This milestone is a further stage in our long-term strategy: we have chosen to invest in immunology and chronic inflammatory diseases for more than ten years, placing research at the center of our commitment,” informs Marcello Cattani, President and CEO. Ensuring access to this new biological drug requires streamlined regulations and fair pricing, particularly in light of the Most Favored Nation (MFN) action promoted by the US administration, which aims to align drug prices with those in OECD countries. “In a rapidly evolving global scenario, it is essential to reward research and allow companies to mature the value of innovation,” Cattani continues.
