Australians and COPD rates
February 19, 2013
OVER 10 percent of Australians
have some form of obstructive lung
disease, with many cases potentially
going undiagnosed according to a
new study published in the Medical
Journal of Australia.
The research, titled Respiratory
symptoms and illness in older
Australians: the Burden of Obstructive
Lung Disease (BOLD) study, was
designed to measure the
prevalence of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) among
people aged over 40 years.
In order to do this, researchers
looked at 1,620 men and 1,737
women aged over 40, who were
selected at random using electoral
rolls between 2006 and 2010.
Participants were asked to
complete a written questionnaire
and undergo spirometry testing.
Results of the study showed that
the prevalence of GOLD Stage II or
higher COPD (defined as postbronchodilator
FEV1/FVC ratio <
0.70 and FEV1 < 80% predicted)
was 7.5% among participants aged
over 40 years, and 29.2% among
those aged over 75 years.
Meanwhile among participants
aged over 40 years, the prevalence
of wheeze in the past 12 months
was 30%, whilst prevalence of
shortness of breath when hurrying
on the level or climbing a slight hill
was 25.2%.
Researchers also noted that there
was also a steep increase in the
prevalence of shortness of breath
in people aged over 75 years.
Interestingly the researchers
found that the prevalence of cough
was similar among the age groups
(over 40 years and over 75 years),
but the prevalence of sputum
production, consistent with a
diagnosis of chronic bronchitis,
increased with age.
“The finding that many participants
with confirmed airflow obstruction
consistent with COPD did not have
a pre-existing diagnosis suggests
greater effort is needed in making
high-quality spirometry available in
all health care settings,” the
researchers said.
Overall, researchers found that a
reported diagnosis of asthma or
related illness was much more
common than a reported diagnosis
of COPD or related illness (18.8% v
5.2% among all people aged over
40), even in the oldest age group.
Amongst all participants the
prevalence of GOLD Stage II or
higher COPD was 7.5% and the
prevalence of severe COPD (GOLD
Stage III or higher) was 0.9%.
“The findings of our Australian
BOLD study have important
implications for health service
development in Australia,” the
researchers said.
“Only by accurately diagnosing
COPD is it possible to offer the
range of interventions that have
been demonstrated to improve
quality of life, reduce disability and
limit health care use.
“The finding that many
participants with confirmed airflow
obstruction consistent with COPD
did not have a pre-existing
diagnosis suggests greater effort is
needed in making high-quality
spirometry available in all health
care settings,” the researchers added.
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