Global Burden of Chronic Respiratory Diseases

Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are the main causesof mortality and morbidity worldwide. Methods: The main evidences about the NCDs and CRDs burden and related risk factors, from updatedinternational reports and results of original researches, were collected and described in this review. Results: Most recent evidence is available from the Global Burden of Diseases Study (GBD) 2017 reports.There were 3.2 million deaths due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 495,000 deaths due toasthma. COPD was the seventh leading cause of years of life lost (YLLs). Overall, prevalent cases of CRDswere 545 million: about 50% for COPD and 50% for asthma. Incident cases of CRDs were 62 million, mostlydue to asthma (69%) and COPD (29%). COPD accounted for 81.6 million disability-adjusted life years, asthmafor 22.8 million. COPD prevalence of 9.1% has been found in a recent general population sample of North-Eastern Italy, while in Central Italy a 25-year follow-up of a general population sample has shown an increasedprevalence of COPD and asthma up to 6.8% and 7.8%, respectively. In Central Italy, a COPD incidence of 8%and an asthma incidence of 3.2% have been found in adult subjects at an 18-year follow-up. Among the riskfactors, a relevant role is played by smoking and high body mass index for asthma, while smoking, particulatematter pollution, ambient ozone pollution, occupational exposure to particulate matter, gases and fumes, as well as second-hand smoke, play an important role for COPD. Forecasting the YLLs by 2040 indicates a rising tollfrom several NCDs due to population growth and aging, with COPD expected to reach the fourth leading cause. Conclusions: Several recent studies and international reports highlighted the huge global health burden ofCRDs and other major NCDs, pointing out the need for implementing international collaborations to fight thisepidemic trend.