Review of COPD in Middle East and Gulf countries

Incidence of COPD is increasing and becoming a concern worldwide. Eastern Mediterranean Region happens to follow the same trend showing the highest percentage increase in the last few years. The purpose of this review article was to study burden of the disease in the region with reference to research done so far. Data was compared with regards to prevalence, risk factors and study design with rest of the world to identify similarities and differences between Middle East countries and the West. A review of economic burden of COPD in the region was also studied. Further to this, underestimation of the disease was not infrequent, at both patient and physician level. The goal of this review is to establish good insight into problems associated with COPD and subsequently develop public awareness and health policies to try and encounter it effectively.