Obstructive chronic broncho-pneumonopathy

The Obstructive Chronic Broncho-pneumonopathy , shortened BPCO , is a group of chronic diseases systemic of respiratory origin.

Definition

At the respiratory level, the BPCO is characterized by a slow and progressive obstruction air Routes and Poumon S characterized by the reduction not completely reversible in the expiratory flows . It is mainly of the chronic bronchitis and the Emphysème.

The chronic ignition of the lungs is suspectée to involve the dysfunctions noted at the muscular level. At the patient reaches BPCO, the metabolism Anaérobie finds itself preferentially solicited, with the detriment of the metabolism Aérobie. The overuse of this energy die involves a Hyperlactatémie and a chronic Acidose. By effect of retro-control, the hyperlactatemy will start an increase in the respiratory frequency and an aggravation of the Dyspnée. The maintenance and the restoration of the operation of the Aerobic metabolism seems today a major stake of readjustment in favor of the Quality of life of patient BPCO.

The main cause of this disease is the Tabagisme)

Epidemiology

The obstructive chronic broncho-pneumonopathy reaches the adults of more than 40 years and its frequency increases with the age.

The BPCO is the fifth cause of mortality in the world, after the infarction, the Community cerebral vascular accidents, respiratory infections and tuberculosis. Mortality by BPCO increased by 47% between 1979 and 1993 in the United States and doubled at the woman between 1980 and 1995 in Canada. The BPCO has been in continuous increase for 20 years with more than 44 million patients in the world, that is to say 4 to 10% of the adult population. It would reach nearly 10% of the adult population of the Western countries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates at 2,7 million the number of deaths due to the BPCO in 2000 in the world. Worse, it expects that in 2020, this affection will be the third cause of mortality per disease in the world because of the nicotinism, in particular that of the women.

In France, the BPCO relates to 3 to 4 million people, that is to say 6 to 8% of the adult population. Among this one, 100.000 are at the stage of the chronic respiratory insufficiency. 16.000 die about it each year (Souce: Ministry for Health, July 2005). In 1993,20% of the patients reached of BPCO were women. Today, they account for 40 to 45% of the patients. That is explained by the fact why the women are increasingly numerous to smoke. Currently, 30% of the Frenchwomen smoke.

Causes