Asthma and COPD
Dr. S. Lueders, MD, MPH
ML Site Consultant KDH
SolidarMed – Swiss Organisation for Health in Africa (Member of Medicus Mundi) www.solidarmed.ch 22.04.26 02:29 nachm. 1
,Asthma definition and epidemiology
• Definition: A chronic inflammatory disease of the airways
that is characterized by
• Airway obstruction that is reversible (spontaneously or
with treatment), and
• Bronchial hyperresponsiveness
• Epidemiology: Global prevalence is 5% of adults and up
to 10% of children, m : w = 2:1, with high regional variability
• Allergic (extrinsic) asthma usually manifests in childhood,
nonallergic (intrinsic) asthma at middle age (>40 years)
• Asthma is the most common non-communicable disease
among children
• According to WHO, asthma is under-diagnosed and under-
treated
SolidarMed – Swiss Organisation for Health in Africa (Member of Medicus Mundi) www.solidarmed.ch 22.04.26 02:29 nachm. 2
,Aetiology
• Allergic (extrinsic) asthma:
• Environmental factors (pollen, animal hair, insects, etc.)
• Occupational allergens (flour, etc.)
• Nonallergic (intrinsic) asthma:
• Respiratory tract infections
• Analgetics (ASS, NSAID = pseudo-allergic reaction)
• Chemical irritants or toxic agents
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux
• Other triggers like cold air, emotional arousal, physical
exercise
• Genetic predisposition is seen in all forms of asthma
SolidarMed – Swiss Organisation for Health in Africa (Member of Medicus Mundi) www.solidarmed.ch 22.04.26 02:29 nachm. 3
, Pathogenesis
• Genetic predisposition and exogenous trigger result in
three characteristics of disease:
• Bronchial inflammation:
• Mediated by mast cells, T-lymphocytes, eosinophils, and
mediators
• Bronchial hyperresponsiveness:
• An exaggerated, unspecific bronchoconstrictor response to a
wide variety of stimuli
• Endobronchial obstruction:
• Bronchospasm
• Mucosal oedema
• Hypersecretion with dyscrinia (inspissated mucus)
• Airway remodeling (subepithelial fibrosis, smooth muscle
hypertrophy, angiogenesis)
SolidarMed – Swiss Organisation for Health in Africa (Member of Medicus Mundi) www.solidarmed.ch 22.04.26 02:29 nachm. 4
Dr. S. Lueders, MD, MPH
ML Site Consultant KDH
SolidarMed – Swiss Organisation for Health in Africa (Member of Medicus Mundi) www.solidarmed.ch 22.04.26 02:29 nachm. 1
,Asthma definition and epidemiology
• Definition: A chronic inflammatory disease of the airways
that is characterized by
• Airway obstruction that is reversible (spontaneously or
with treatment), and
• Bronchial hyperresponsiveness
• Epidemiology: Global prevalence is 5% of adults and up
to 10% of children, m : w = 2:1, with high regional variability
• Allergic (extrinsic) asthma usually manifests in childhood,
nonallergic (intrinsic) asthma at middle age (>40 years)
• Asthma is the most common non-communicable disease
among children
• According to WHO, asthma is under-diagnosed and under-
treated
SolidarMed – Swiss Organisation for Health in Africa (Member of Medicus Mundi) www.solidarmed.ch 22.04.26 02:29 nachm. 2
,Aetiology
• Allergic (extrinsic) asthma:
• Environmental factors (pollen, animal hair, insects, etc.)
• Occupational allergens (flour, etc.)
• Nonallergic (intrinsic) asthma:
• Respiratory tract infections
• Analgetics (ASS, NSAID = pseudo-allergic reaction)
• Chemical irritants or toxic agents
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux
• Other triggers like cold air, emotional arousal, physical
exercise
• Genetic predisposition is seen in all forms of asthma
SolidarMed – Swiss Organisation for Health in Africa (Member of Medicus Mundi) www.solidarmed.ch 22.04.26 02:29 nachm. 3
, Pathogenesis
• Genetic predisposition and exogenous trigger result in
three characteristics of disease:
• Bronchial inflammation:
• Mediated by mast cells, T-lymphocytes, eosinophils, and
mediators
• Bronchial hyperresponsiveness:
• An exaggerated, unspecific bronchoconstrictor response to a
wide variety of stimuli
• Endobronchial obstruction:
• Bronchospasm
• Mucosal oedema
• Hypersecretion with dyscrinia (inspissated mucus)
• Airway remodeling (subepithelial fibrosis, smooth muscle
hypertrophy, angiogenesis)
SolidarMed – Swiss Organisation for Health in Africa (Member of Medicus Mundi) www.solidarmed.ch 22.04.26 02:29 nachm. 4
