[Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency: situation in Spain and development of a screening program].
Studies undertaken in Spain indicate that 9% of the general population aged between 40 and 70 years is affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although tobacco smoke is the causative factor in more than 90% of cases, it is estimated that only 10% to 20% of smokers develop COPD. This may be explained by the existence of genetic or environmental factors that modulate the toxic effects of tobacco. The best known genetic factor is alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency, which is associated with an increased risk of developing pulmonary emphysema in smokers. The most recent guidelines from both the World Health Organization and the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society recommend the establishment of screening programs for the detection of alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency in patients with COPD. This strategy is crucial in Spain, where the disease is under diagnosed, mainly due to a low index of suspicion among doctors.
de la Roza
Cristian
C
Servicio de Neumología, Institut Clínic del Tórax, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Red Respira RTIC 03/11 ISCIII, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, España. croza@clinic.ub.es
Lara
Beatriz
B
Vilà
Sara
S
Miravitlles
Marc
M
D006801:Humans; D016730:Program Development; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain; D019896:alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology