title: International variation in the prevalence of COPD (the BOLD Study): a population-based prevalence study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a growing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and accurate estimates of the prevalence of this disease are needed to anticipate the future burden of COPD, target key risk factors, and plan for providing COPD-related health services. We aimed to measure the prevalence of COPD and its risk factors and investigate variation across countries by age, sex, and smoking status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants from 12 sites (n=9425) completed postbronchodilator spirometry testing plus questionnaires about respiratory symptoms, health status, and exposure to COPD risk factors. COPD prevalence estimates based on the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease staging criteria were adjusted for the target population. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for COPD associated with 10-year age increments and 10-pack-year (defined as the number of cigarettes smoked per day divided by 20 and multiplied by the number of years that the participant smoked) increments. Meta-analyses provided pooled estimates for these risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of stage II or higher COPD was 10.1% (SE 4.8) overall, 11.8% (7.9) for men, and 8.5% (5.8) for women. The ORs for 10-year age increments were much the same across sites and for women and men. The overall pooled estimate was 1.94 (95% CI 1.80-2.10) per 10-year increment. Site-specific pack-year ORs varied significantly in women (pooled OR=1.28, 95% CI 1.15-1.42, p=0.012), but not in men (1.16, 1.12-1.21, p=0.743).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This worldwide study showed higher levels and more advanced staging of spirometrically confirmed COPD than have typically been reported. However, although age and smoking are strong contributors to COPD, they do not fully explain variations in disease prevalence-other factors also seem to be important. Although smoking cessation is becoming an increasingly urgent objective for an ageing worldwide population, a better understanding of other factors that contribute to COPD is crucial to assist local public-health officials in developing the best possible primary and secondary prevention policies for their regions.
authors.affiliation: Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. BOLD@kpchr.org
authors.forename: A Sonia
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Buist
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: McBurnie
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Vollmer
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gillespie
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Burney
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Mannino
authors.forename: Ana M B
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: Sean D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Todd A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kevin B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Guy B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: Amund
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gulsvik
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nizankowska-Mogilnicka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires