The Vietnam Respiratory Society held its annual scientific conference in Da Nang in July, revolving around the theme "Cooperation for lung health". The event brought together leading respiratory experts from Vietnam and abroad, with 32 scientific sessions, 103 reporters and speakers, and more than 500 healthcare professionals nationwide.

Within the program, GSK Vietnam co-organized the satellite symposium "Optimizing benefits for COPD patients: From prevention to treatment", providing a comprehensive overview of effective treatment solutions and ways to limit the risk of infection for COPD patients.

Prof. Dr. Ngo Quy Chau, President of the Vietnam Respiratory Society - Chairman of the symposium "Optimizing benefits for COPD patients: From prevention to treatment". Photo: GSK Vietnam

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Khac Bao - Director of the Center for Medical Education and Deputy Director of the University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, senior physician at the Vietnam Lung and Respiratory Clinic - stated that COPD is a progressive disease that cannot be completely cured, but can be controlled with appropriate treatment strategies. He also introduced a new approach. Rather than simply reducing symptoms and preventing exacerbations, disease stabilization is a treatment goal with higher expectations.

According to Assoc. Prof. Le Khac Bao, stability with COPD can be understood as the absence of moderate to severe exacerbations, with no deterioration in health and stable lung function. This reduces patient anxiety about hospitalization and medical expenses, helps maintain daily activities, and improves quality of life.

To optimize this goal, the Associate Professor emphasized that patients need clear advice to be proactive in their treatment, combined with healthy lifestyle adjustments, increased exercise, and respiratory rehabilitation.

"More importantly, doctors and patients need to agree on treatment goals and choose a regimen suitable for each case," Assoc. Prof. Le Khac Bao said.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Khac Bao speaking at the symposium. Photo: GSK Vietnam

Also at the event, Dr. Le Thi Thu Huong, Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine and Deputy Head of the Vaccination Unit at Gia Dinh People's Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, pointed out that chronic inflammation in COPD patients contributes to weakening immune responses, thereby increasing the risk of infections such as influenza, shingles, pneumococcal diseases, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - infections that can cause complications and affect patients' lives.

Studies show a two-way relationship between chronic diseases and infections. Specifically, COPD patients have a 41% higher risk of shingles than healthy individuals. Furthermore, underlying COPD increases the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia by 53% in COPD patients with shingles.

Meanwhile, a history of shingles can worsen COPD symptoms or cause shortness of breath in about 26% of COPD patients. Regarding RSV, the rate of intensive care unit admission for COPD patients infected with RSV is 17.9%.

Dr. Thu Huong believes that proactive prevention can ward off infections. Doctors play a key role in this, including accurately assessing the importance of prevention and proactively advising patients on preventive measures as recommended in the Vietnam Respiratory Society's COPD treatment guidelines.

"We need to reposition the role of respiratory physicians: not only treating complications but also helping COPD patients proactively prevent complications and the risk of infections (influenza, shingles, pneumococcal diseases, or RSV)," Dr. Thu Huong said.

Dr. Le Thi Thu Huong emphasizes the key role of doctors in disease prevention. Photo: GSK Vietnam

Next, Prof. Dr. Ngo Quy Chau, President of the Vietnam Respiratory Society, stated: "Helping COPD patients achieve 'disease stability' through prevention and optimal treatment is an important goal in the effective management strategy for COPD, aiming to maintain their long-term health. The active collaboration of all parties with the Vietnam Respiratory Society in continuously updating scientific knowledge and technology from treatment to prevention for medical staff, while raising public awareness (especially about chronic diseases like COPD), has been creating positive changes in clinical practice and the quality of COPD treatment and prevention in Vietnam".

Through research, a portfolio of vaccines and medicines, GSK aims to support COPD patients in stabilizing and changing the course of their disease.

In Vietnam, GSK collaborates with experts, continuously exchanging and updating professional knowledge, hoping to spread the message to the community: everyone needs to be proactive in taking care of their health, maintain a positive attitude, and regularly visit doctors for advice on appropriate prevention and treatment methods, thereby maintaining lung function and living a healthy life.

Ha An