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Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease Initiative |
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The overall aim of the programme is to establish a worldwide platform for the study of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease(COPD) mainly in low and middle income countries. This platform will be used to launch local studies that are standardised in their methods and co-ordinated in their approach.
Scientific Objectives
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to measure the prevalence of COPD across the world using high quality spirometry -
to assess the main causes of the condition in different environments
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to assess the burden of COPD in relation to quality of life, respiratory symptoms and use of health services
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to provide information for input to an economic model of COPD
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to assess the appropriateness of care provided
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Collaborations
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BOLD is collaborating with other international initiatives, contributing data for research in lung function and COPD:
Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) www.lungfunction.org
Global Burden of Disease Initiative (GBD) http://www.healthmetricsandevaluation.org/gbd
Economic burden
The burden of disease model is primarily a policy model that provides estimates of the current and future economic costs of COPD for a specific region. The model uses aggregate estimates from the prevalence survey, local costs and population estimates, to provide a site-specific estimate of the current and future burden to COPD. Disease progression estimates are derived from the Framingham Heart Study longitudinal cohorts. Model simulations and calculations are conducted on a standard spreadsheet platform with an interface that allows for changes in input parameters to change assumptions or conduct sensitivity analyses.
Access the BOLD Economic Model at BOLD Economic Model
Operational Objectives
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to build upon the work of the BOLD Initiative to date (2002-2007), in order to improve our understanding of
COPD
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to make standardised methods available to as many low and middle income countries as are interested
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to maintain a Co-ordinating Centre to provide oversight, training, quality control, data system and analysis support
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to facilitate future longitudinal studies
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to use the data collected to support the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease and the WHO Global Alliance Against Respiratory Disease Programs
