Research Illumination No. 11

A contribution from Beni Suef University to the journal Nature Medicine: A global study reveals the burden of chronic respiratory diseases

In an achievement that consolidates Beni Suef University’s presence on the international scientific research map, Professor Dr. Shaimaa Arafa (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology – Faculty of Pharmacy) participated in a major international study published in the journal Nature Medicine (Impact Factor 50).

A recent global scientific study, in which Professor Dr. Shaimaa Arafa from Beni Suef University participated, reveals a comprehensive picture of the state of chronic respiratory diseases worldwide over more than three decades, from 1990 to 2023. The study shows that these diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, interstitial lung diseases, and sarcoidosis, remain among the greatest health challenges facing humanity, with more than 569 million new cases and nearly 4.2 million deaths recorded globally in 2023 alone. Despite the enormity of these figures, the results highlight a positive aspect: the mortality rate associated with these diseases has decreased by 25.7% compared to the early 1990s, reflecting advancements in treatment methods and improvements in healthcare worldwide.

However, the study also points to an important paradox: while mortality rates declined, the incidence of certain lung diseases, particularly those associated with pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis, increased, especially among the elderly, highlighting the need for greater attention to this demographic. The findings also indicated that smoking remains the leading risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while being overweight is linked to an increased risk of asthma, and exposure to silica dust poses a direct risk of silicosis, particularly for those working in certain industrial environments.

Regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the study revealed a slight increase in the number of recorded cases of chronic respiratory diseases during the pandemic years, but simultaneously noted a significant decrease in deaths among those affected. Researchers suggest this decline is linked to a rise in global health awareness, the preventative measures implemented during the pandemic, and improved healthcare systems' capacity to manage respiratory illnesses.

The study concludes that chronic respiratory diseases will remain a long-term health burden, and that addressing them requires a sustained global effort focused on prevention, reducing smoking rates, improving early detection and treatment, as well as protecting the most vulnerable groups, especially the elderly.

It is worth noting that researchers and scientists from Beni Suef University have recently contributed to research published in the Nature journal in the fields of veterinary medicine, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence, reflecting the university's diverse disciplines and strong international partnerships. For example, Dr. Shehata Ibrahim Anwar (Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine) participated in a pioneering study titled "Gut-primed T cells trigger central nervous system inflammation through licensing and molecular mimicry," which elucidates a novel mechanism linking intestinal immune cell responses to inflammation within the central nervous system.

And the participation of Engineering/ Muhammad Zakari (College of Engineering) in developing the Humanity’s Last Exam (HLE) test to measure artificial intelligence’s ability to understand deep and complex thinking through more than 2,500 questions in 100 disciplines.

English brief:

In a major international effort published in Nature Medicine (IF 50, 2024), Prof. Dr. Elshaimaa A. Arafa from Faculty of pharmacy, Beni-Suef University co-authored a comprehensive assessment of chronic respiratory diseases (COPD, asthma, pneumoconiosis, ILD, sarcoidosis) from 1990–2023, including the impact of COVID-19. in 2023, the study reported 569.2 million cases and 4.2 million deaths, alongside a 25.7% decline in age-standardized mortality since 1990, despite rises in ILD and sarcoidosis among older adults. Smoking remained the leading risk factor for COPD; high BMI and silica exposure were linked to asthma and pneumoconiosis. The findings call for strengthened prevention, early detection, and equitable access to care

Search link

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-04077-9