pulmonary disorders
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Epidemiology of COPD
In the US, about 24 million people have airflow limitation, of whom about 16 million have a diagnosis of COPD. COPD is a leading cause of death, resulting in more than 150,000 deaths each year in the US ( Epidemiology references ). Prevalence, incidence, and mortality rates increase with age. Prevalence is higher in women, but total mortality is similar in both sexes. COPD seems to aggregate in families independent of COPD is increasing worldwide because of increases in smoking and reduction in mortality due to infectious diseases. In some regions, the widespread use of biomass fuels, such as wood, grasses, or other organic materials, also contributes to COPD prevalence. COPD mortality rates may be higher in medically underserved nations than in nations where medical care is more easily accessed. COPD accounted for 3.23 million deaths globally in 2019 and is the third leading cause of death. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a particular risk to patients with COPD. The mortality rate for patients with COPD and COVID-19 was 15% versus 4% in those without COPD ( Epidemiology references ). Hospitalization rates were twice as great for COPD patients with COVID-19 compared to those without COPD. Overall, however, COVID-19 has been associated with world-wide reduction in COPD hospitalizations ( 1.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: National Center for Health Statistics: Leading Causes of Death. Updated January 22, 2022. 2.Meza D, Khuder B, Bailey JI, et al: Mortality from COVID-19 in patients with COPD: A US study in the N3C Data Enclave.Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis16:2323–2326, 2021. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S318000 3.Alqahtani JS, Oyelade T, Aldhahir AM, et al: Reduction in hospitalised COPD exacerbations during COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One2021 Aug 3;16(8):e0255659, 2021. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255659 4.Wong LE, Hawkins JE, Langness S, et al: Where are all the patients? Addressing Covid-19 fear to encourage sick patients to seek emergency care.NEJM Catal Innov Care DelivMay 14, 2020. 