Contact: Nonofo Modikwa, UNMC Public Affairs, (402) 559-4353  August 17, 2001

UNMC Researchers Take Aim on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a deadly killer, but most people are unaware of what it is. That’s why the University of Nebraska Medical Center and other research institutions around the world are trying to raise awareness for COPD, the fourth leading cause of death in the United States behind heart disease, cancer and stroke.

Stephen Rennard, M.D., Larson Professor of Medicine, pulmonary and critical care medicine section of the internal medicine department at UNMC, has been involved in the fight against COPD for more than two decades. He recently served on the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Committee, a 15-member advisory committee made up of leading pulmonologists from around the world.

The GOLD committee developed guidelines for treating COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, two conditions that decrease airflow in and out of the lungs.

“Typically, it takes 30 to 40 years for COPD to develop fully enough to cause symptoms. Before that, it is present, but silent,” Dr. Rennard said.
It is estimated that more than 16 million Americans suffer from COPD.Approximately 112,000 Americans die from COPD each year and 16 million more are undiagnosed. COPD costs the U.S. economy more than $25 billion a year.

New government data based on a 1998 prevalence survey suggest that three million Americans have been diagnosed with emphysema and nine million are affected by chronic bronchitis.

Dr. Rennard is receiving approximately $1.5 million annually from a total of $4 million in grants for COPD research projects at UNMC.

The UNMC COPD research studies include smoking cessation trials involving the nicotine patch, nicotine gum and nicotine inhaler; investigations on how to block cellular changes that occur with COPD;harm reduction studies, which try to determine if smokers will be better off smoking fewer cigarettes; as well as evaluations of new medications to improve the treatment of patients with COPD.

“Although it affects millions of Americans, the majority of medical students, the public, and the health community in general remain uninformed about COPD,” Dr. Rennard said. “Much needs to be done.”

Dr. Rennard said 80 percent of COPD patients are cigarette smokers.

“COPD is the only major cause of death that is increasing at the present time. By the year 2020, it is anticipated that COPD will become the third leading cause of death,” Dr. Rennard said. “This is a huge problem that needs to be addressed not only in America but in other countries as well, especially Asian countries. COPD is actually the number one cause of death in China.”

A report developed by a pharmaceutical company (GSK) found that although patients and physicians are generally optimistic about advances in COPD treatment, there is still a strong need for more education about how to better manage the condition.

A COPD survey illustrates the tremendous impact the disease can have on people. Describing their worst three months in the previous year, 58 percent said they had shortness of breath every day and 23 percent of patients said symptoms woke them up every night.

In general, 51 percent of COPD patients say the condition limits their ability to work. In addition, COPD limits normal physical exertion, 70 percent; household chores, 56 percent; social activities, 53 percent; sleeping, 50 percent; and family activities, 46 percent.

COPD symptoms also are shown to be a cause of great distress for patients.
 · 58 percent say they panic when they can’t get their breath; 52 percent feel they are not in control of their breathing; and 52 percent admit that their coughing is embarrassing in public.
 · 47 percent say they have a hard time making plans because of their condition, and 39 percent worry about having serious breathing problems when away from home.
 · 66 percent say they expect their condition to get worse.

Although COPD is a progressive disease, statistics reveal younger patients of ages 45 to 54 report more severe and frequent symptoms and a greater psychosocial impact compared to older patients. This is a counterintuitive finding, as older patients, not younger patients, should report the greater impact. One explanation is that younger patients are more sharply aware of their symptoms, while older patients have either grown more accustomed to symptoms or restrict their activities to avoid breathing problems.

For more information on COPD studies being conducted at UNMC, call (402) 559-7396 or (402) 559-6335