title: Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among US working adults aged 40 to 70 years. National Health Interview Survey data 2004 to 2011.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence and prevalence odds ratios of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among US workers by major occupational groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 2004 to 2011 National Health Interview Survey data for working adults 40 to 70 years old was analyzed to estimate the prevalence of COPD by major occupational groups. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations between COPD (chronic bronchitis or emphysema) and occupations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The estimated overall COPD prevalence was 4.2% (95% CI, 4.0 to 4.3). The odds of COPD were highest among workers in health care support occupations (prevalence odds ratio, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.25 to 2.14) followed by food preparation and serving-related occupations (prevalence odds ratio, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.20 to 2.06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence varied by occupations, suggesting workplace exposures may contribute to COPD. Preventive measures such as interventions to reduce smoking may reduce the prevalence of COPD.
authors.affiliation: From the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Drs Doney, Hnizdo, Syamlal, Kullman, and Burchfiel); West Virginia University (Dr Martin), Morgantown; and National Institutes of Health (Dr Mujuru), Bethesda, Md.
authors.forename: Brent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Doney
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hnizdo
authors.forename: Girija
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Syamlal
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kullman
authors.forename: Cecil
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burchfiel
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Priscah
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mujuru
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D009790:Occupations; D015995:Prevalence; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology