Bringing greater understanding to COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease characterised by progressive airway inflammation and changes, which permanently damage the lungs and affects a person’s ability to breathe. This disease is often misunderstood, with many misconceptions on its causes, that can lead to feelings of shame for those living with this condition, which can be truly isolating.

To support the COPD community as best as we can, it is vital to understand what it’s like for people living with COPD. It can be an uphill battle each day managing symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness, and depression1 that can make every-day tasks feel like an incredible challenge.

Things we take for granted like getting dressed, going to work or meeting a friend for a coffee can become almost impossible, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can greatly affect a person’s overall well-being2. In fact, research has shown that people living with COPD have greater rates of depression and anxiety compared to the general population3.

COPD has strong associations with smoking4, even though 25% – 45% of people with COPD have never smoked5. Because of this association, it can sometimes be viewed as a ‘self-inflicted disease’, creating a stigma that can cause a tremendous ripple effect on the lives of those living with COPD.

This stigma can stop patients with COPD from seeking essential care for fear of judgement or negative repercussions because of their condition. Patients may also decrease their use of specific treatments that may show that they have COPD6, which can increase their risk of exacerbations (an episode where a person’s COPD symptoms suddenly become worse).

Breaking the stigma is essential for patients living with COPD to feel empowered and supported throughout their care journey. Only through this, can they make the best decisions when it comes to their disease management.

Many COPD patients who experience severe symptoms rely on support from family and friends for care related to their illness7. For caregivers, seeing their loved one's struggle with the physical and mental toll of COPD can be extremely difficult.

There is significant research ongoing exploring opportunities to improve outcomes for patients with COPD. Our teams at Roche are committed to using our expertise to explore these opportunities while uplifting patient voices to reduce the stigma associated with COPD.

References

1. D. Russell et al. The revised UCLA Loneliness Scale: concurrent and discriminant validity evidence J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. (1980)

2. D.M. Mosen et al. Social isolation associated with future health care utilization. Popul. Health Manag. (2021)

3. Rahi MS, Thilagar B, Balaji S, Prabhakaran SY, Mudgal M, Rajoo S, Yella PR, Satija P, Zagorulko A, Gunasekaran K. The Impact of Anxiety and Depression in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Adv Respir Med. 2023 Mar 10;91(2):123-134.

4. Julia Yamazaki-Tan, BSc, Nathan J Harrison, B.Psych (Hons), Henry Marshall, PhD, Coral Gartner, PhD, Catherine E Runge, PhD, Kylie Morphett, PhD. Interventions to Reduce Lung Cancer and COPD-Related Stigma: A Systematic Review. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Volume 58, Issue 11, November 2024, Pages 729–740.

5. Salvi SS, Barnes PJ. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in non-smokers. Lancet. 2009;374:733–743.

6. Joy L. Johnson, Audrey C. Campbell, Michele Bowers , and Anne-Marie Nichol. Understanding the Social Consequences of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - The Effects of Stigma and Gender. Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society. Volume 4, Issue 8. 

7. Mansfield E, Bryant J, Regan T, Waller A, Boyes A,  Sanson-Fisher, R. Burden and Unmet Needs of Caregivers of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: A Systematic Review of the Volume and Focus of Research Output. COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. 2016; 13(5): 662–667.