Madeira records higher mortality rate due to respiratory diseases in Europe

According to the report, 13,474 people died of respiratory diseases in 2016, their number reaching more than 17,000 if one adds deaths from tracheal cancer, bronchi and lungs.

Mortality rate hits record

Since 2015, respiratory diseases have been the third leading cause of death, shortly after cancer, accounting for 19% of all deaths in Portugal.

At the European level, the national mortality rate due to respiratory diseases in mainland Portugal and the autonomous regions is the highest, exceeding 115 per 10,000 inhabitants, the Madeira rate being the highest in Europe.

Experts estimate that in 2020, respiratory diseases account for about 12 million deaths a year worldwide.

Pneumonia is responsible for 44% of deaths

The paper shows that, excluding tracheal, bronchial and lung cancers, respiratory diseases kill an average of 37 people a day in Portugal, with pneumonia accounting for 44% of these deaths.

"This number is particularly relevant because pneumonia is a potentially treatable condition," the report says.

Pneumonia deaths mainly affect the elderly, with 94.3% of patients aged 65 years and older and 87% of patients aged 75 years or older.

The paper also points out that "the main hospitalization rate for pneumonia is high, accounting for about 7% of medical admissions" and nearly 5% of all episodes of medical and surgical hospitalization.

Mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is also relevant. In 2016, it accounted for about 20% of all respiratory deaths, or 2,791 people.

Asthma, which affects morbidity, accounts for only 1% of all causes of death from respiratory illness.

Respiratory diseases are the leading cause of hospitalization

Hospitalizations for respiratory diseases have increased by more than 25% in ten years and the number of patients with mechanical ventilation has more than doubled.

In 2007, Portugal had fewer than 90,000 hospitalizations for respiratory diseases, and more than 112,000 in 2016.

For mechanically ventilated patients, there were approximately 9,300 in 2007 and more than 21,000 afterwards.

With regard to costs, the report recalls the 2013 data indicating that hospitalizations for respiratory illness account for more than 210 million euros.

Tobacco is a risk factor

Tobacco remains a major risk factor for many respiratory diseases: it is responsible for 46.4% of deaths related to COPD, 19.5% of deaths from cancer and 12% of deaths. due to infections of the lower respiratory tract.

According to the Institute of Metrics Health and Evaluation, 11,800 people died in Portugal due to tobacco-related illnesses, which corresponds to the death of one person every 50 minutes.

Observatory defends the investigation of the air of buildings

The National Observatory of Respiratory Diseases recommends conducting research on air quality in Portuguese buildings to improve health.

"Unfortunately, there is little data on the quality of indoor air in Portuguese buildings, let alone on any positive or negative developments," says the Observatory in this year's report. .

"It is therefore recommended to deploy an important research effort, as the results could lead to ways to improve our health," he said, noting that the quality of the air has an influence determining on respiratory health.

"Steps can be taken to promote the quality of air that the Portuguese breathe," the Observatory says in this document, adding that it is becoming increasingly obvious exposure to small concentrations of pollutants is dangerous.

The agency also worries that poor ventilation in day care increases the percentage of children suffering from wheezing or asthma and smoking inside. arguing that "smoking should be abolished on the inside".

The use of fossil fuels or organic materials for heating and cooking is a source of pollution, but "its impact is not properly assessed in Portugal," he warns.

Although in Portugal, the air quality is generally good, the Observatory warns that a "significant number" of days is still persistent when the air quality is average or even bad.

The Observatory also warned that "moisture in homes promotes the appearance of fungi and tends to increase the concentration of pollutants," noting that studies report a rate of 20 % of Portuguese houses with problems of humidity.

Despite the numbers, the ONDR report concludes that much more needs to be done in prevention and that less than 2% of patients with indication of respiratory rehabilitation have access to treatment.

The 13th report of the ONDR is presented this Thursday, December 13 in the auditorium of social services of the mayor of Lisbon.