Definition, epidemiology, and risk factors

Prevalence

Estimating and comparing the prevalence of COPD in different countries is complicated by differences in its precise definition and in the level of underdiagnosis. For example, in the United Kingdom mild COPD is defined as the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) to the forced vital capacity (FVC) being < 0.7 and the FEV₁ being 50-80% of the expected value. Other guidelines suggest slightly different spirometric values (see third article in this series).

A national UK study reported an abnormally low FEV₁ in 10% of men and 11% of women aged 16-65 years. Similarly, a study in Manchester found non-reversible airflow obstruction in 11% of adults aged > 45, of whom 65% had not had COPD diagnosed. In the United States the reported prevalence of airflow obstruction with an FEV₁ < 80% of the expected value is 6.8%, with 1.5% of the population having an FEV₁ < 50% of expected and 0.5% having more severe obstruction (FEV₁ < 35% of expected). As in the UK, about 60% of those with airflow obstruction had not had COPD diagnosed. As much as 40-50% of the actual prevalence of COPD, based on measurements of ventilatory function, may be undiagnosed; many people present relatively late with moderate or severe airflow obstruction.

In England and Wales some 900 000 people have COPD diagnosed—so, after allowing for underdiagnosis, the true number with COPD is likely to be about 1.5 million. The mean age at diagnosis in the UK is roughly 67 years, and prevalence increases with age. COPD is more common in men than women and is associated with socioeconomic deprivation. The prevalence of diagnosed COPD in women is increasing (from 0.8% in 1990 to 1.4% in 1997), whereas in men it seems to have reached a plateau since the middle 1990s. Similar trends have been reported in the US. These trends in prevalence probably reflect sex differences in cigarette smoking since the 1970s.

Mortality

COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the US and Europe. With the increase in cigarette smoking in developing countries, especially China, COPD is expected to become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2020. During 2003, about 26 000 people died from COPD in the UK, accounting for 4.9% of all deaths, with 14 000 of these deaths occurring in men and 12 000 in women. These represent 5.4% of all male deaths and 4.2% of all female deaths.

In the UK over the past 30 years, mortality from COPD has fallen in men and risen in women, and the sex difference in COPD deaths will probably disappear in the near future. In the US, mortality from COPD in women has also risen substantially, from 20.1 to 56.7 per 100 000 between 1980 and 2000, while in men the increase has been more modest, from 73.0 to 82.6 per 100 000. In 2000, for the first time, more women than men died from COPD (59 936 v 59 118). Mortality increases with age, disease severity, and socioeconomic disadvantage. On average, COPD reduces life expectancy by 1.8 years in the UK (76.5 v 78.3 years for controls)—mild disease reducing it by 1.1 years, moderate disease by 1.7 years, and severe disease by 4.1 years.

Morbidity and economic impact

The morbidity and economic costs associated with COPD are high, largely unrecognised, and more than twice those from asthma. The impact on quality of life is particularly high in patients with frequent exacerbations, and even patients with mild COPD have an impaired quality of life.

Since the mid-1990s, emergency admissions for COPD have increased by at least 50%, so that in 2002-3 there were 110 000 hospital admissions for an exacerbation of COPD in England, accounting for 1.1 million bed days. At least 10% of emergency admissions to hospital are as a consequence of COPD, and this proportion is even greater during the winter. Most admissions are of people older than 65 years with advanced disease, who are often admitted repeatedly and use a disproportionate amount of resources. About 25% of patients with COPD diagnosed need admission to hospital, with some 15% of patients being admitted each year.

The impact in primary care is even greater, with 86% of care being provided exclusively by primary care. An average general practitioner's list will contain some 200 patients with COPD (even more in areas of social deprivation), although not all will have it diagnosed. On average, patients with COPD make six or seven visits annually to their general practitioner. Each patient costs the UK economy an estimated £1639 annually, equating to a national burden of £982m (€1450, $1741m). For each patient, annual direct costs to the NHS are £819, with 54% of this being due to hospital admissions and 19% due to drug treatment. COPD results in further costs to society in that roughly 40% of UK patients are below retirement age, and the disease prevents about 25% from working and reduces the capacity to work in a further 10%. Annual indirect costs of COPD have been estimated at £820 per patient and consist of the cost of disability, absence from work, premature mortality, and the time caregivers miss work.

Smoking

Cigarette smoking is clearly the single most important risk factor in the development of COPD. Current smoking is also associated with an increased risk of death. Pipe and cigar smoking also significantly increase morbidity and mortality from COPD, though the risk is less than for cigarettes. Around half of cigarette smokers develop some airflow obstruction, and 10-20% develop clinically significant COPD. Although smoking is the most important risk factor, it is not a prerequisite: COPD can occur in non-smokers with longstanding asthma or with α₁ antitrypsin deficiency. Moreover, about 20% of COPD cases in men are not attributable to smoking.

A more contentious issue is the possible relation between environmental tobacco smoke and development of COPD: several case-control studies have shown a trend towards an increased risk of COPD with passive smoking. However, the adverse effect of maternal smoking on childhood ventilatory function is clearer: smoking during and after pregnancy is associated with reduced infant, childhood, and adult ventilatory function. Most studies have shown that the effects of antenatal smoking are greater in magnitude than, and independent of, the effects of postnatal exposure.

Air pollution

Urban air pollution may affect lung function development and consequently be a risk factor for COPD. Cross sectional studies have shown that higher concentrations of atmospheric air pollution are associated with increased cough, sputum production, and breathlessness and reduced ventilatory function. Exposure to particulate and nitrogen dioxide air pollution has been associated with impaired ventilatory function in adults and reduced lung growth in children. In developing countries indoor air pollution from biomass fuel (used for cooking and heating) has been implicated as a risk factor for COPD, particularly in women.

Occupation

Intense prolonged exposure to dusts and chemicals can cause COPD independently of cigarette smoking, though smoking seems to enhance the effects of such occupational exposure to increase the risk of developing COPD. About 20% of diagnosed cases of COPD are thought to be attributable to occupation; in lifelong non-smokers this proportion increases to 30%. Exposure to noxious gases and particles—such as grain, isocyanates, cadmium, coal, other mineral dusts, and welding fumes—have been implicated in the development of chronic airflow obstruction. Thus, a full chronological occupational history should be taken, as relevant occupational exposures are often missed by clinicians.

α₁ antitrypsin deficiency

The best documented genetic risk factor for COPD is α₁ antitrypsin deficiency. However, this is rare and is present in only 1-2% of patients with COPD. α₁ antitrypsin is a glycoprotein responsible for most of the antiprotease activity in serum. Its gene is highly polymorphic, but some genotypes (usually ZZ) are associated with low serum concentrations (typically 10-20% of normal). Severe deficiency of α₁ antitrypsin is associated with premature and accelerated development of COPD in smokers and non-smokers, though the rate of decline in lung function is greatly accelerated in those who smoke.

The α₁ antitrypsin status of patients with severe COPD who are less than 40 years old should be determined since over half of such patients have this deficiency. Detection of such cases identifies family members who will require genetic counselling and patients who might be suitable for future potential treatment with α₁ antitrypsin replacement.