Nycomed research highlights impact of COPD exacerbations

Nycomed has published data from a new international study which illustrates the healthcare impact of lung attacks, or exacerbations, suffered by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

The company has sponsored a survey called Hidden Depths of COPD, which assessed the effect of the condition among 2,000 patients and 1,400 doctors from 14 different countries.

It was found that nearly 70 per cent of patients surveyed suffered exacerbations in the last 12 months, with death rates within one year of being hospitalised for an exacerbation proving to be worse than those for heart attacks.

According to the study, this suggests that healthcare professionals may be underestimating the impact of a condition which has severe repercussions on the lifestyle and wellbeing of patients.

Professor Neil Barnes of London Chest Hospital said: "These events can be unpleasant and frightening for patients and are a particular burden for those who suffer from several of these events in a year."

Nycomed recently received European Medicines Agency approval for its new COPD drug Daxas, which was released in Germany earlier this month and will be launched in the UK soon.