FIRS The Global Impact of Respiratory Disease – Second Edition | Page 27

Other important respiratory
conditions and concerns
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In addition to the fi ve respiratory diseases
described, other respiratory conditions also
impact global health. The lungs are the
organ most affected by unhealthy air in the
workplace, and occupational lung disease
is a common health hazard that takes a
huge toll, causing death, disability and
absenteeism. Exposure to asbestos causes
lung fi brosis (asbestosis) and mesothelioma.
Exposure to mineral dusts causes silicosis or
coal worker’s pneumoconiosis, and exposure
to organic antigens causes hypersensitivity
pneumonitis and asthma. These diseases
may be preventable by assuring clean air
in the workplace. Importantly, inhalation of
toxic material both inside and outside the
workplace can cause acute and large-scale
health problems. some paediatric populations. An important
health condition that affects 1% of the world
has great world health signifi cance. The best
preventive measures for sleep apnoea are
maintaining a healthy bodyweight and doing
physical exercise.
Sleep disordered breathing (or sleep
apnoea) is a common condition affecting
1–6% of adults. Sleep apnoea is more common
in older individuals; one study reported
up to 24% of men aged 30–60 years had
obstructive sleep apnoea [43]. Sleep apnoea
causes fragmented sleep and hypoxia, which
has long been recognised to cause daytime
somnolence and increased accidents. More
recently, it has also been associated with
many other illnesses, such as hypertension,
cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes,
poor cognitive function and neuropsychiatric
disorders – not to mention effects on
alertness causing problems with safety-
sensitive activities. Furthermore, it appears
to worsen many other illnesses. Paediatric
sleep disorders are increasingly recognised as
causes of morbidity and mortality. Obstructive
sleep apnoea syndrome has been described
in 5% of children tested, but exceeds 10% in Pulmonary embolism is a common life-
threatening disease estimated to occur
in 6–20 per 10,000 European inhabitants
annually [16], but the number is likely to be
much higher because both mild and severe
cases go unrecorded and often can be a
diagnostic challenge. Mild cases may be
self-limited and not reported; and end-of-life
cases are usually associated with other severe
diseases, which can be erroneously reported
as the cause of death instead of pulmonary
embolism. Pulmonary embolism is associated
with age, many different health conditions,
genetic predisposition and physical inactivity.
Treatment is generally with anticoagulants.
Pulmonary hypertension occurs in about
1% of the population in the world and up to
10% of those aged over 65 years. Much of this
is related to left ventricular failure and lung
disease, but schistosomiasis, HIV infection,
rheumatic heart disease and sickle cell disease
are other prominent causes [44]. Treatment
and prevention of pulmonary hypertension
vary depending on the cause and can often
be controlled by alleviating the underlying
conditions.
The respiratory system is in the forefront of
two current global health concerns – climate
change and terrorism. Climate change
affects respiratory diseases by several means.
Temperature is closely associated with air
Forum of International Respiratory Societies