During the scientific conference "New Era in Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Treatment" held on 5/4 in TP HCM, the Vietnam Respiratory Society and AstraZeneca unveiled alarming figures. Globally, one person dies from COPD every 10 seconds. In Vietnam, approximately 4.2% of individuals over 40 suffer from the disease; specifically, men account for 7.1%, meaning seven out of every one hundred middle-aged men are affected. Currently, COPD impacts over 390 million people, ranking as the third leading cause of death globally and in Vietnam.

A COPD patient receiving treatment at Bach Mai Hospital. Photo: Le Nga

Acute COPD exacerbations directly trigger severe cardiovascular events. When an exacerbation flares up, systemic inflammation increases the risk of cardiovascular complications by 280% within the first 30 days, maintaining a 90% elevated risk for one year afterward. Statistics indicate that 39% of COPD patients die from cardiovascular causes, and about one-fourth die within the first year of hospital discharge. Only 50% of patients survive 3.6 years after their first severe exacerbation, indicating a poor prognosis comparable to, or even worse than, some common cancers. The disease also diminishes productivity, forcing 40% of patients to reduce or cease work, leading to a loss of independence and reliance on family for basic daily activities.

Despite its dangers, 65% to 80% of cases are missed due to late diagnosis. Associate Professor Doctor Tran Van Ngoc, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Lung Association, noted that most patients only seek medical attention when the disease has progressed to stage 3 or 4, or during a critical exacerbation. In early stages, symptoms like persistent cough and phlegm production are subtle and do not immediately cause shortness of breath, leading many to be complacent and continue smoking. This delay causes patients to miss the "golden window" to prevent permanent lung damage.

Faced with this reality, the healthcare sector is shifting its strategy from passive intervention to proactive disease stabilization and early prevention. Associate Professor Doctor Le Khac Bao, Deputy Director of TP HCM University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, stated that while medicine cannot completely cure COPD, doctors can control the disease through appropriate treatment regimens. The current goal extends beyond symptom reduction, aiming to help patients avoid moderate or severe exacerbations and maintain stable lung function to preserve quality of life. The global GOLD 2025-2026 guidelines highlight integrated triple therapy in a single inhaler as a breakthrough. This method provides strong evidence for reducing mortality and addressing treatment adherence challenges for chronic patients at the grassroots level.

The state has officially included COPD and bronchial asthma in the National Target Program 2026-2035 to address this significant healthcare burden. Atul Tandon, General Director of AstraZeneca Vietnam, pledged to collaborate with the healthcare system to build an effective disease management ecosystem, protecting the long-term cardiopulmonary function of millions.

Health experts recommend that individuals over 40 with a history of smoking, persistent cough and phlegm, or shortness of breath during exertion should undergo a respiratory specialist examination and lung function test immediately. Patients need to adhere to long-term treatment, combine early smoking cessation, and engage in rehabilitation. Cardiology and endocrinology specialists also need to proactively screen to detect cases early, preventing high mortality risks or complications during surgery due to missed COPD patients.

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