Chronic respiratory diseases affect 4 million people in Vietnam

(Chinhphu.vn) - Bronchial asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease, affecting more than 300 million people worldwide. In Vietnam, the average rate of asthma is about 3.9% of the population, equivalent to about 4 million people. Notably, each year, about 3,000 - 4,000 people die from this disease.

Chronic respiratory disease affects 4 million people in Vietnam

This information was given at the scientific conference "Responding to World Asthma Day 2025" recently organized by the Vietnam Respiratory Society, aiming to share and exchange new knowledge and advances in prevention, treatment as well as providing solutions for asthma management in Vietnam.

According to experts, the management and prevention of asthma still face many challenges. Not only is asthma a common chronic respiratory disease, it is also an underlying disease that weakens the body's immune system and creates conditions for viruses to attack, such as influenza virus and Varicella Zoster virus (VZV), the agent that causes shingles.

Sharing at the workshop, Dr. Le Thi Thu Huong, Head of the Department of Internal Medicine and Respiratory Medicine, Gia Dinh People's Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that studies have shown that people with asthma have a 24% higher risk of getting shingles and a 20% higher risk of post-herpetic neuralgia complications. Notably, asthma patients have a 90% higher risk of getting shingles in the eye compared to people without asthma.

Regarding proactive prevention for asthma patients, Associate Professor, Dr. Phan Thu Phuong, Director of the Respiratory Center, Bach Mai Hospital, said that asthma treatment does not only use medication but must combine many factors, in which proactive control of the disease plays an important role, such as controlling symptoms and modifiable risk factors, preventing infectious diseases, controlling comorbidities, etc.

Also at the workshop, Associate Professor, Dr. Le Khac Bao, Deputy Director of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital - Ho Chi Minh City emphasized that asthma control can be improved by individualizing treatment. This requires a comprehensive strategy, including assessing patient characteristics, monitoring compliance, and educating patients and medical staff to raise awareness.

In addition to treatment, prevention strategies play a key role in asthma control, also helping to reduce infection-related asthma exacerbations and maintain lung function.

President of the Vietnam Respiratory Society Ngo Quy Chau affirmed that good asthma management is extremely necessary, it will help control complications and reduce mortality caused by asthma.

The Respiratory Association highly appreciates the cooperative efforts of all parties in improving the quality of life for asthma patients in recent times, contributing to reducing the burden on the health system.

Hien Minh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/benh-ho-hap-man-tinh-anh-huong-den-4-trieu-nguoi-tai-viet-nam-102250514160943193.htm