COPD IN A SAMPLE OF GENERAL ADULT POPULATION FROM THE SKOPJE REGION
Journal
Academic Medical Journal
Date Issued
2022
Author(s)
Atanasovska, Aneta
DOI
10.53582/amj2221047m
Abstract
Introduction. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading
causes of morbidity, disability and mortality in the last decades worldwide.
Aim of the study. To determine the COPD prevalence in a sample of general adult
population from the Skopje region and its distribution by sex, age, smoking status, working
status, family history of chronic bronchitis/asthma, and mode of household heating and cooking.
Methods. A cross-sectional study (prevalence study) including 2,348 participants
(1,239 males and 1,109 females, aged 18 to 86 years) from the Skopje region was performed
at the Institute for Occupational Health of RN Macedonia, Skopje, in the period 2018-2021.
The study protocol included completion of a questionnaire and spirometric measurements (pre and post-bronchodilator spirometry). COPD was defined by spirometric finding of persistent
airflow limitation in symptomatic study subjects.
Results. COPD prevalence in the whole study sample was 4.6%, being non-significantly
higher in men (5.1%) than in women (4.1%). Fourfold higher prevalence of COPD was
registered in the study subjects aged over 45 years as compared to the younger ones (6.7% vs.
1.6%; P = 0.000). COPD prevalence was significantly higher in active smokers as compared
to non-smoking study subjects (9.4% vs. 1.9%; P = 0.000). In regard to working status, COPD
prevalence among active workers was 3.9%, in the group of retired persons 8.7%, while in
the group of students there was not a single subject with COPD. In addition, COPD prevalence in
the workers occupationally exposed to noxious particles or gases was significantly higher
than in unexposed workers (4.7% vs. 2.4%; P = 0.021). There was no statistically significant
difference in the COPD prevalence between study subjects with positive and negative family
history of asthma/chronic bronchitis (4.8% vs. 4.5%), as well as between study subjects who
used biomass fuels for heating and cooking (6.2%) and those who did not use traditional fuels
for household needs (4.0%).
Conclusion. Our findings have indicated the age, active smoking and occupational
exposures to noxious particles or gases as the factors significantly related to COPD prevalence in
the examined sample of general adult population from the Skopje region.
causes of morbidity, disability and mortality in the last decades worldwide.
Aim of the study. To determine the COPD prevalence in a sample of general adult
population from the Skopje region and its distribution by sex, age, smoking status, working
status, family history of chronic bronchitis/asthma, and mode of household heating and cooking.
Methods. A cross-sectional study (prevalence study) including 2,348 participants
(1,239 males and 1,109 females, aged 18 to 86 years) from the Skopje region was performed
at the Institute for Occupational Health of RN Macedonia, Skopje, in the period 2018-2021.
The study protocol included completion of a questionnaire and spirometric measurements (pre and post-bronchodilator spirometry). COPD was defined by spirometric finding of persistent
airflow limitation in symptomatic study subjects.
Results. COPD prevalence in the whole study sample was 4.6%, being non-significantly
higher in men (5.1%) than in women (4.1%). Fourfold higher prevalence of COPD was
registered in the study subjects aged over 45 years as compared to the younger ones (6.7% vs.
1.6%; P = 0.000). COPD prevalence was significantly higher in active smokers as compared
to non-smoking study subjects (9.4% vs. 1.9%; P = 0.000). In regard to working status, COPD
prevalence among active workers was 3.9%, in the group of retired persons 8.7%, while in
the group of students there was not a single subject with COPD. In addition, COPD prevalence in
the workers occupationally exposed to noxious particles or gases was significantly higher
than in unexposed workers (4.7% vs. 2.4%; P = 0.021). There was no statistically significant
difference in the COPD prevalence between study subjects with positive and negative family
history of asthma/chronic bronchitis (4.8% vs. 4.5%), as well as between study subjects who
used biomass fuels for heating and cooking (6.2%) and those who did not use traditional fuels
for household needs (4.0%).
Conclusion. Our findings have indicated the age, active smoking and occupational
exposures to noxious particles or gases as the factors significantly related to COPD prevalence in
the examined sample of general adult population from the Skopje region.
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