In Ukraine, the Unified Clinical Protocol of Primary, Specialized and Emergency Medical Care “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease” (COPD) has been approved (order of the Ministry of Health of 20 September 2024 No. 1610). The document is available at: http://surl.li/zpjwig.
The protocol is based on the Clinical Guideline “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease”, which complies with the principles of evidence-based medicine and current international recommendations.
The purpose of the protocol is, in particular, to define measures for the prevention, early diagnosis, and timely detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The protocol also outlines the key stages of medical care for patients with COPD.
“The main objectives in developing the protocol were to ensure quality, effectiveness and equal access to medical care for patients with COPD, as well as to establish uniform principles for prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients. The document also substantiates the staffing and material and technical support of healthcare institutions,” said Oksana Hulenko, Head of the Medical Care Standardization Division of the State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one of the leading causes of chronic morbidity in the world, with a prevalence of 10,3%. This disease is among the top three causes of mortality. Moreover, 90% of cases are registered in low- and middle-income countries.
Tobacco smoking is a key environmental risk factor for the development of COPD. The prevalence of the disease among smokers and former smokers is significantly higher than among non-smokers. Among persons over 40 years of age, incidence rates exceed the corresponding data for younger groups, and the risk of developing the disease is higher in men than in women.
Along with smoking, in many countries the main risk factors also include outdoor pollution, harmful occupational conditions, and pollution of indoor air in premises heated with wood or bio-organic fuel.
It is emphasized that COPD exacerbation creates the greatest overall burden on the healthcare system. At the same time, timely detection of the disease helps slow its progression and reduces the risk of complications.
There is also a direct relationship between the severity of clinical manifestations of COPD and treatment costs.
The protocol is intended for use by general practitioners, therapists, pulmonologists, occupational pathologists, radiologists, surgeons, and other medical specialists who provide primary and specialized medical care to patients with COPD.
The protocol was developed with the informational and methodological support of the State Expert Center by a group of specialists in the fields of phthisiology, pulmonology, allergology, nonspecific lung diseases, propaedeutics of internal medicine, family medicine and outpatient therapy.
