International union against tuberculosis and lung disease (IUATLD): initiatives in non-tuberculous lung disease

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Epidemiology
• Global Health

Background:

• The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) has focused on non-tuberculous lung diseases since the late 1970s.
• Initiatives have targeted acute respiratory infections in children and chronic airway diseases in adults and children, particularly in African populations.

Observation:

• Developed simplified methods for measuring bronchial hyper-reactivity and validated asthma questionnaires for diverse linguistic groups in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Reviewed lung function reference values, noting a secular trend towards higher spirometric values over two decades.
• Observed significant between-country variations in chronic bronchitis and childhood asthma prevalence.

Findings:

• Childhood asthma rates were consistently higher in urban compared to rural communities.
• Environmental factors play a significant, locally specific role in the prevalence of childhood asthma.
• Significant differences in chronic bronchitis prevalence exist among adult populations across African countries.

Implications:

• Standardized methodologies are crucial for future research to investigate and address environmental determinants of lung disease.
• Interventions targeting environmental factors are needed to control lung diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Reducing tobacco use is vital for protecting both adult and child respiratory health.