Pharmacy Daily | Australians and COPD rates

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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