Abstract
Aim: To compare prevalence rates and risk factors associated with COPD in an Italian population sample surveyed 20 years apart.
Methods: The family cluster random sample living in Central Italy (Pisa) was enrolled in 1991-93 (n=2529, age range 20-97 yrs, males 44.4%); the survivors, with the inclusion of new family members, were studied again in 2009-10, within the framework of the European Union funded project IMCA2 (Indicators for Monitoring COPD and Asthma in EU) (n=1341, age range 20-103 yrs, male 46.5%). Lifestyle, health status and chronic respiratory diseases information were collected by questionnaire. Spirometry was also used. A Logistic Regression analysis was ran to assess the association between COPD diagnosis and risk factors.
Results: COPD diagnosis prevalence had increased from 8.2% to 11.1% over the 20 years (p=.003). In both studies, COPD diagnosis is significantly associated with 64+ yrs (IS: OR 15.8, CI 95% 7.7-32.5; IIS: OR 6.1, CI 95% 3.1-11.9) and 45-64 yrs age range (IS: OR 8.6, CI 95% 4.2-17.4; IIS: OR 2.3, CI 95% 1.1-4.8), male gender (IS: OR 2.9; CI 95% 1.9-4.5; IIS: OR 1.5, CI 95% 1.0-2.4), actual or past smoking habits (IS: OR 2.6, CI 95% 1.7-4.1; IIS: OR 1.9, CI 95% 1.2-3.0), work exposure to dust, gas or chemicals (IS: OR 2.0, CI 95% 1.4-2.9; IIS: OR 1.8, CI 95% 1.2-2.7), co-presence of asthma diagnosis (IS: OR 5.9, CI 95% 3.8-9.3; IIS: OR 4.5, CI 95% 3.0-6.6) and cardiovascular illness (IS: OR 2.3, CI 95% 1.6-3.2; IIS: OR 2.5, CI 95%1.5-4.0).
Conclusions: COPD is still increasing in Italy. While the association with the risk factors is confirmed, there is a general decrease of the OR values over the 20 years. The OR decline for male gender is in line with the recent raise of COPD prevalence in females.
- © 2011 ERS