Unmasking the hidden threat: COPD awareness and knowledge in Portugal

Abstract

The burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is recognised worldwide, constituting a major public health problem due to significant morbidity and mortality. Portugal is not an exception to the impact of the COPD burden. The most recent data for the Portuguese population indicates that COPD is the fifth cause of death, with an estimated prevalence of 14.2% for individuals > 40 years old, as shown in a study conducted in the region of Lisbon. The GOLD report5 indicates that COPD is preventable and treatable. Detection, early diagnosis, and modifiable risk factors, such as tobacco use, can be determinants for the disease path. In this context, epidemiological studies of COPD are a crucial element for the prevention, diagnosis, and implementation of health policies to reduce the burden of the disease. In addition, knowledge about COPD among the general population is described in different studies reporting low levels of knowledge with a negative impact on early diagnosis and treatment success.6,7 In Portugal, COPD epidemiological studies are scarce and the knowledge of the disease among the general population and public awareness is very limited.