The initiative arises from the perception of a high incidence of this pathology related to the inhalation of organic particles. Consequently, the Lleida center has contacted Hospital Clínic in Barcelona to explore conducting a study that would allow visualizing the disease's location by zones, verifying its prevalence in Lleida, and correlating it with the types of atmospheric pollutants present in the city.
“"The perception is that there is a lot of disease due to the inhalation of these organic particles."
This research is in an initial phase, but professionals at Arnau de Vilanova aim to delve deeper into the situation with the support of Catalonia's reference hospital for this disease. Sarcoidosis is an uncommon respiratory pathology affecting 56 people per 100,000 inhabitants in Catalonia, according to Clínic data from 2024. At the Arnau de Vilanova clinic, Dr. Barril indicates that approximately four cases are attended weekly.
Sarcoidosis is characterized by the formation of granulomas, accumulations of inflammatory cells, primarily in the lungs and lymph nodes. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, persistent cough, and joint pain, and in severe cases, it can affect vital organs. It is often diagnosed late and is more common in people of North African descent.
“"Most of the time it is a self-limiting disease, but other times it can lead to a serious illness."
This topic was a central point of the Pneumology and Primary Care Conference held this Friday at Arnau de Vilanova Hospital, which brought together healthcare professionals to update knowledge on respiratory diseases. During the conference, topics such as early detection, chronic patient management, asthma, and new developments in pneumology were discussed, aiming to improve coordination between primary and hospital care.
Gemma Puig, meteorologist from 3Cat, explained that Lleida's plain orography favors the accumulation of pollutants, especially during periods of anticyclonic stability, thus degrading air quality and impacting respiratory diseases. Previous studies have already linked fog with an increase in emergency visits due to the worsening of these pathologies.
For her part, Beatriz Enrich, family doctor at CAP de Cappont and respiratory referent for the ICS, highlighted that one in four primary care visits in the region is related to respiratory pathologies, whether acute (like seasonal flu) or chronic. Among chronic conditions, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a prevalence of 17% in Catalonia, and asthma affects between 5% and 10% of the general population. Enrich emphasized that abrupt changes in temperature and air quality directly impact the exacerbation of these stable chronic diseases.
