A population-based survey of the prevalence and risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Shanxi Province, China.

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic respiratory disease which can cause organ damage and even death. For the first time, the prevalence and risk factors of COPD in Shanxi Province (China) were evaluated in this study.

METHODS

A population-based survey was conducted in 2015 based on the Shanxi Province population (age ≥ 20). COPD was diagnosed according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) standard (2017).

RESULTS

A total of 5636 participants with reliable post-bronchodilator results were selected. The prevalence of spirometry-defined COPD among the population (age ≥ 20) was 6.4% (95% CI 5.8-7.1) and was more prevalent in men (9.7%, 95% CI 8.6-10.9) than women (3.9%, 95% CI 3.2-4.6). The multivariate-adjusted analysis demonstrated that sex, age, education, smoking, chronic cough during childhood (age ≤ 14), and a family history of parents with respiratory diseases were related to the prevalence of COPD risk. On the contrary, among rural residents living with smokers, a history of pneumonia or bronchitis during childhood, BMI, use of biomass energy, prolonged exposure to particulate matter 2.5, and a family history of parents with respiratory diseases did not show a significant correlation to COPD.

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified a high prevalence of COPD and its determinants in Shanxi province. The prevention of COPD and its early detection is a health priority in this province.