THE REPUBLIC'S record in tackling lung disease is one of the worst in Europe, a report published yesterday has found. We now have the second highest death rate from respiratory disease in Europe, having moved from fourth to second place on a league table of deaths from respiratory disease.
The Ireland Needs Healthy Airways and Lungs - The Evidence (Inhale) report, published by the Irish Thoracic Society (ITS), the representative body for respiratory healthcare professionals here, reveals that deaths from respiratory disease now exceed those from coronary artery disease. In terms of disease mortality, at 21 per cent, the relative burden of respiratory disease in Ireland is rising, the authors said.
Compiled by Dr Neil Brennan and Dr Terry O'Connor, consultant respiratory physicians at the Mercy Hospital, Cork, the report shows that respiratory illness is the most common reason why people visit their GP and the reason why almost one in 10 people require acute hospital admission. At the report's launch, the ITS called for a dedicated respiratory strategy to tackle the rising health and economic burden of lung disease. Calling for Government action, ITS president Dr JJ Gilmartin said: "We believe that this [ strategy] should be underpinned by strong linkages between hospital, community and primary care . . . without it, it is likely that when we report again in five years' time the picture will be no better, if not worse. For the sake of our patients, we must ensure that this is not the case."
"Whether it's lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis or cystic fibrosis - the picture is the same; death rates and prevalence are either rising or higher than they should be and the resources to effectively prevent, diagnose and treat these diseases are inadequate," the report's co-author, Dr Brennan said.
Minister of State for Health and Children Pat the Cope Gallagher said he hoped the report would help to highlight and improve awareness and understanding of the extent of lung disease in Ireland.
Jan O'Sullivan, Labour spokeswoman on health, supported the call for a national respiratory strategy. "The report points to significant differences in mortality rates according to socioeconomic backgrounds. It is clear that social inequality is a more significant factor in respiratory deaths than in any other disease," she said.
Recent data from the Health Service Executive found that pulmonary disease, lung cancer and tuberculosis showed the most marked social class difference, the report notes. Highlighting the challenges facing children with respiratory disease, Dr Gilmartin said the 600 or more children with cystic fibrosis in the Republic faced particular difficulties.
"A lack of suitable isolation facilities and specialist nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians, psychologists and social workers means these children are not getting the level of care they require. Tuberculosis is another area where children are vulnerable, particularly if they are exposed to an adult who is infectious. As Ireland has not yet attained World Health Organisation (Who) goals in terms of TB elimination, much needs to be done in this regard."
The report notes the number of lung cancer deaths in women is now approaching that from breast cancer and the gap has narrowed by two-thirds since 1999.
In terms of the economic burden of respiratory disease, the report found that the cost of primary care services for respiratory disease was over €71 million in 2006. The total cost of respiratory drugs was €106 million. Some 620,688 working days were lost due to respiratory illness in 2006.