Samar Yahya Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The first regional research group looking into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Middle East and Africa region will announce the results of its BREATHE study at a medical conference on Monday. According to Professor Siraj Omar Wali and Dr. Majdy Idrees from the BREATHE steering committee, the study has for the first time quantified the true burden of COPD, both in terms of its societal cost and the impact the disease has on patients and their families in the region. The landmark study is a call to action to improve the prevention, diagnosis, management and quality of life of patients living with the chronic condition in Saudi Arabia. The COPD prevalence rate in Saudi Arabia is as high as 2.4 percent in people aged 40 years and above, the study said. The overall prevalence in the 11 countries is 3.6 percent. Dr. Mohamed Hany Soliman, medical director at GSK, said: “The BREATHE study represents a cornerstone for building a long-lasting commitment to improving respiratory care in the Middle East and Africa region. “The study will be published in (journal) Respiratory Medicine before the year-end. “We hope that the increased awareness of the BREATHE study's findings will inform public health planning through governments and health service managers and ultimately improve the lives of patients living with this chronic debilitating disease.”
