Little known by millions of French people, COPD is nevertheless the 3rd cause of death in the world.

COPD gradually deteriorates respiratory function, and therefore the daily life of those affected. Smokers represent 80% of cases. COPD causes 20,000 deaths in France each year, it is the third cause of death in the world, which 90% of French people are unaware of. On the occasion of World COPD Day, Sanofi unveils the results of an unprecedented survey, carried out with BVA Obstructive).

A real lack of knowledge of COPD

Fear of respiratory illnesses seems to be increasing; 4 out of 5 French people feel that respiratory illnesses are growing more and more, which represents a major source of concern for ⅔ of them. Despite this, 63% of the population has never heard of COPD. Furthermore, if they have heard of COPD, they know little about this disease. Only half of them know that tobacco is the main cause. Despite the disease, half of affected patients continue to smoke!

Almost all of the affected patients questioned want an information campaign in order to provide prevention since ⅔ of them declare that they would have changed their lifestyle if they had known about the risk factors of the disease. COPD.

Personal and professional consequences

For 9 out of 10 COPD patients, shortness of breath is the most prominent symptom, followed by fatigue and cough. They also state that their everyday life is impacted, particularly on sleep for 70% of patients, everyday actions such as dressing and cooking or even their emotional and sexual life. Home adjustments may be necessary, so much so that 12% of them have even moved because of their COPD, especially for residents of the Paris metropolitan area. More than ⅔ of patients can no longer perform physical activity due to excessive shortness of breath and half have had to give up walks. Professional life can be affected, 38% of patients confirm this.

Patient stigmatization causes real psychological suffering

COPD patients also seem to be victims of a double whammy: beyond the disabling symptoms, they must face stigma. The investigation reveals that 3/4 of patients heard a guilty remark, the most common being:You just had to not smoke.” heard by 6 out of 10 patients. And 4 out of 10 patients reported having heard “that their illness was psychological” and a third “that they exaggerated the exhaustion caused by the cough”. Consequences, more than 1/3 of COPD patients have already suffered from anxiety disorders and 1/4 from depression.

To this is added the feeling to be A weight For the companysince 82% of patients think that their illness has a significant impact on the French health system.

COPD is a disease that is still little known, but which nevertheless affects a large number of French people each year. Today, the lack of information can lead to a lack of prevention and the discomfort of patients already handicapped by the physical consequences of the disease.