Lung disease is common in Latin America

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Emphysema and bronchitis are more common in Latin America than previously believed.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name physicians give to emphysema and bronchitis - two conditions where there is damage to lung tissue, shortness of breath, and increasing disability. Doctors in Brazil have been looking at the prevalence of COPD among a group of 1,000 people aged 40 in various cities.

In Mexico City, COPD prevalence was 7.8 per cent while in Montevideo it was as high as 20 per cent. In between these figures were the cities of Santiago, Sao Paolo and Caracas. An international review has previously suggested a lower level of four to 10 per cent.

The researchers found a good correlation between altitude and COPD. But high rates of smoking - the main risk factor for COPD - in Latin America also play a major part.

Source
The Lancet 5th November 2005

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