"Know about and think about COPD"
- the key message of the Educational Event to Promote World COPD Day in Japan 2005
- COPD is a very common disease with over 5,300,000 potential patients, but only a little over 200,000 patients have been receiving treatment.
- COPD is a systemic disease that causes significant difficulties in daily life when it becomes severe. Early detection and early treatment are essential.
- Do not overlook shortness of breath while walking up stairs or hills, chronic coughing and sputum production, by blaming them on aging or smoking. Consult your doctor early.
- Persons aged 40 or over with a history of smoking should take a spirometry test regularly.
COPD Checking Event 2005 |
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Checking 1,044 people in Kyoto and Ginza, Tokyo, for their history of smoking, pulmonary function, and symptoms.
During the three days November 5-7, 2005, a COPD Checking Event targeted for the general public was held in Kyoto city and Ginza, Tokyo, as part of the "World COPD Day in Japan" activities. Since 2003, when the checking event was started, 8% of people tested have shown an FEV1 of less than 70% each year. It is an interesting result that suggests that a certain percentage of people among the general public have a decreased pulmonary function. Therefore, we need to raise awareness of COPD and have more widespread spirometry tests for screening. |
- November 5 and 6: Zest-Oike-Kawaramachi-hiroba, Kyoto city
- November 7: In front of the Nishiginza department store, Tokyo
- Number of participants: 1,044 (male: 489, female: 555)
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Instructing 190 people on quitting smoking (Kyoto) |
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COPD screening event results: |
- In the spirometry testing, a Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) of less than 70% (suspected level of having an obstructive air exchange disorder such as COPD,) was measured in 79 of all 1,044 (7.6%) participants. This result was found in 57 of the 489 males (11.7%), and 22 of the 555 females (4.0%).
- An FEV1 of less than 70% in the spirometry test was seen in 16 of the 479 non-smokers (3.3%), 34 of the 327 current smokers (10.7%), and 27 of the 224 former smokers (12.1%), and the rate was higher in former smokers.
- Those with an FEV1 of less than 70% had a tendency to have early COPD symptoms of coughs, sputum production, and shortness of breath, etc.
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COPD Checking Event Results from World COPD Days 2003 - 2005
| | 2003 (Tokyo) | 2004 (Tokyo) | 2005 (Tokyo/Kyoto) |
| Rate of people having an FEV1 of less than 70% | 7.3% | 8.2% | 7.6% |
| Number affected / sample size (people) | 33/452 | 53/643 | 79/1,044 |
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