Abstract

CAMPOS, Hisbello S. Asma e DPOC: vida e morte. Bol. Pneumol. Sanit. [online]. 2004, vol.12, n.1, pp.39-55. ISSN 0103-460X.

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common conditions associated with high morbidity and mortality. While asthma is more prevalent among children, COPD is more frequent among adults, mainly after the fifth decade of life. Their chronic aspect makes their treatment sometimes lifelong. Interactions between the basic airway problems and the environment and the patients reactions to the illness necessitate a holistic approach to management of the condition. Both diseases are important causes of suffering and cost for patients, as for their families, society and government, and therefore represent also a significant public health burden. There are indications that, even in developed countries, there are serious mistakes in their medical management and in patient education. In Brazil, as in the major part of the world, mortality rates from both diseases are increasing, being more acentuated in COPD.

Keywords : quality of life in asthma and in COPD; asthma mortality; COPD mortality.

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