On inaugural World Bronchiectasis Day, international lung health organizations raise awareness
Members of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies note the growing number of cases worldwide
July 1, 2022
In support of the first World Bronchiectasis Day, July 1, the Forum of
International Respiratory Societies (FIRS), of which the American College
of Chest Physicians is a founding member, is joining the COPD Foundation
and several global organizations in raising awareness and sharing
information about this lesser-known lung disease.
Bronchiectasis is a lung disease that affects hundreds of thousands of
children and adults worldwide. In this illness, the airways become enlarged
or scarred, making it difficult to clear mucus properly, leading to
recurring lung infections. Symptoms include frequent coughing (often with
thick, discolored mucus), sputum production, breathlessness, repeat chest
infections, increased tiredness, unexplained fever, chills, sweats and
weight loss, and chest pain.
Often misdiagnosed as pneumonia, bronchiectasis is a chronic illness and
one that places a burden on patients and their families. It can lead to
impaired lung function, long-term disability, and premature death. While
bronchiectasis is often referred to as a rare disease, it is common in low
and middle-income countries and prevalence is increasing globally. In
children, especially those in poor communities, bronchiectasis may occur
following a lower respiratory tract infection, such as whooping cough or
adenovirus infection, or pneumonia. Prevention of respiratory infections by
immunization, promotion of good nutrition and reduction of exposure to
smoke and other harmful particulates can help prevent bronchiectasis.
Although there is currently no cure, detecting and treating bronchiectasis
early can improve quality of life and improve long-term health.
To be recognized annually on July 1, World Bronchiectasis Day aims to raise
global awareness of the disease and help those diagnosed with it and others
who may be vulnerable through education, advocacy, and a global
conversation focused on reducing the burden of bronchiectasis for patients
and their families worldwide.
"By participating in World Bronchiectasis Day, partners are helping to
increase global awareness of this disease, which significantly impacts
patients and their families,” said Ruth Tal-Singer, President & CEO of
the COPD Foundation and World Bronchiectasis Day founding partner.
“Although there is currently no cure for bronchiectasis, proper disease
management, global education, and advocacy can reduce the burden on
patients and help to identify others who are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.”
“I’m proud of the FIRS involvement in raising awareness for bronchiectasis.
This is something I work with every day, but it’s not one of the more
common lung diseases. Because it is lesser known, patients often experience
delays in diagnosis when they present with symptoms,” said Doreen J.
Addrizzo-Harris, MD, FCCP, President-Elect for the American College of
Chest Physicians, Professor of Medicine at the NYU Grossman School of
Medicine and Director of the NYU Bronchiectasis and Nontuberculous
Mycobacteria Program. “With increased awareness comes quicker diagnoses and
dedicated research which can lead to better treatment options and improved
patient care.”
This year’s World Bronchiectasis Day will focus on raising awareness for
the disease. The following years will focus on treatment and finding a
cure.
To learn more about bronchiectasis and to support annual World
Bronchiectasis Day, visit
worldbronchiectasisday.org.
About the Forum of International Respiratory Societies
The Forum of International Respiratory Societies
(FIRS) is an organisation comprised of the world's leading international
respiratory societies working together to improve lung health globally. The
goal of FIRS is to unify and enhance efforts to improve lung health through
the combined work of its more than 70,000 members globally.
FIRS comprises the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), American
Thoracic Society (ATS), the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology (APSR),
Asociación Latinoamericana de Tórax (ALAT), European Respiratory Society
(ERS), International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The
Union), Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS), the Global Initiative for
Asthma (GINA) and the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung
Disease (GOLD).
About the American College of Chest Physicians
The American College of Chest Physicians® (CHEST) is the global leader in
the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of chest diseases. Its mission is
to champion advanced clinical practice, education, communication and
research in chest medicine. It serves as an essential connection to
clinical knowledge and resources for its 19,000+ members from around the
world who provide patient care in pulmonary, critical care and sleep
medicine. For information about the American College of Chest Physicians,
and its flagship journal CHEST®, visit chestnet.org.