研究人员基于对130万年龄在35～80岁的加拿大人进行为期14年的追踪观察发现，约有1/4（25％）的人将发展于“慢性阻塞性肺疾病”（chronic obstructive pulmonary disease，COPD），这一结果提示慢性阻塞性肺疾病的发病率比人们预计的要高得多。研究人员还发现，那些居住在农村地区的男性、社会经济条件较差者更易患慢性阻塞性肺疾病。慢性阻塞性肺疾病不仅能以治愈，且易诱发肺心病，甚至心力衰竭而严重损害患者的健康状况与生活质量。因此，采取措施（如戒烟或不吸烟、防寒保暖以预防上呼吸道感染和根治气管支气管炎等）预防本病才应该是根本的努力方向。

Risk for COPD Higher Than Thought: Study

People have a 1-in-4 four chance of developing the debilitating lung disease during their lifetime, researchers find

By Mary Elizabeth Dallas

THURSDAY, Sept. 8 (HealthDay News) -- People are at much higher risk for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than previously thought, according to a new study.

Canadian researchers found that one out of every four people 35 and older is likely to develop COPD, which they called "one of the most deadly, prevalent and costly chronic diseases." COPD includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and the overall risk for developing it surpasses that of heart failure as well as breast and prostate cancer.

"Our novel findings draw attention to the huge burden of COPD on society... and can be used to combat the disease [and] justify the continuation of smoking cessation programs," the study's authors wrote in a news release from The Lancet, which published the results in a special European Respiratory Society issue.

The researchers, from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Toronto, used health data on 13 million people ranging in age from 35 to 80 years old to determine the lifetime risk of developing the condition. Over the course of 14 years, 579,466 cases of COPD were diagnosed.

The research found that the average 35-year-old woman is more than three times as likely to get COPD than breast cancer during her lifetime, and the average 35-year-old man is at more than three times greater risk for COPD than prostate cancer.

The study also pointed out that males, people living in rural areas or those with lower socioeconomic status have a greater risk of developing COPD over their lifetimes.

Meanwhile, a separate study in the same journal issue revealed that airway bypass, an experimental and minimally-invasive procedure, does not alleviate the symptoms of severe emphysema, which causes the destruction and hyperinflation of the lungs, making it difficult for people to breathe and perform daily activities such as eating, bathing, and walking.

Even though earlier studies had shown the airway bypass reduced lung inflation and shortness of breath one day after the procedure, the latest analysis of 315 patients followed for one year found no such positive effects after one month or at six months post-procedure. In addition, the patients received no more benefit than the control group patients who underwent a sham procedure.

The London researchers on the trial, known as EASE (Exhale Airway Stents for Emphysema), said that the disappointing results were due to a combination of factors, including mucus blockages.

SOURCE: The Lancet, news release, Sept. 8, 2011