Impact of Smoking and Sociodemographic Factors on Self-Reported Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among U.S. Adults: A Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a major health concern in the U.S., with smoking as its leading risk factor. Understanding the role of demographic and socioeconomic factors is crucial for targeted public health strategies.

AIM

This study investigated the link between smoking and self-reported COPD among U.S. adults, also assessing the impact of demographic variables (age, gender, and race) and socioeconomic variables (education and income) on this association.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted using data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The outcome variable was self-reported COPD status, and the main exposure was smoking status (Yes/No). Control variables included age, gender, race, education level, and annual income. Statistical analyses included cross-tabulations, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate associations.

RESULTS

Smokers had significantly higher odds of reporting COPD compared to non-smokers (OR: 3.879; 95% CI: 3.7809-3.9792). The strongest associations were seen in individuals aged 45-64 years (OR: 5.241) and females (OR: 4.337). White non-Hispanic smokers had the highest odds among racial groups (OR: 4.118). Smokers with lower education levels (OR: 3.059) and incomes below $50,000 (OR: 3.103) also showed elevated odds of reporting COPD.

CONCLUSION

Smoking is strongly associated with self-reported COPD across demographic and socioeconomic groups. The findings highlight increased risk among middle-aged adults, females, White non-Hispanic individuals, and those with lower income and education. Public health efforts should prioritize cessation programs tailored to these high-risk populations.