COPD is more common in older people, especially those aged 65 years and older. COPD prevalence is highest in the World Health Organization region of the Americas and lowest in the South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions. The pooled global prevalence is 15.7% in men and 9.93% in women.[7]Varmaghani M, Dehghani M, Heidari E, et al. Global prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: systematic review and meta-analysis. East Mediterr Health J. 2019 Mar 19;25(1):47-57.
https://www.doi.org/10.26719/emhj.18.014
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30919925?tool=bestpractice.com
The prevalence of COPD in the US is estimated at 14%.[8]Tilert T, Dillon C, Paulose-Ram R, et al. Estimating the U.S. prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2010. Respir Res. 2013 Oct 9;14:103.
https://www.doi.org/10.1186/1465-9921-14-103
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24107140?tool=bestpractice.com
Deaths from COPD have increased by 23% since 1990 and COPD is projected to be the third leading cause of death in the world in 2020.[1]Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 2021 [internet publication].
https://goldcopd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GOLD-REPORT-2021-v1.1-25Nov20_WMV.pdf
[9]Raherison C, Girodet PO. Epidemiology of COPD. Eur Respir Rev. 2009 Dec;18(114):213-21.
http://err.ersjournals.com/content/18/114/213.long
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20956146?tool=bestpractice.com
[10]Li X, Cao X, Guo M, et al. Trends and risk factors of mortality and disability adjusted life years for chronic respiratory diseases from 1990 to 2017: systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. BMJ. 2020 Feb 19;368:m234.
https://www.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m234
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32075787?tool=bestpractice.com
This is because of the expanding epidemic of smoking and ageing of the world population and reduced mortality from other causes of death such as cardiovascular disease.[1]Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 2021 [internet publication].
https://goldcopd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GOLD-REPORT-2021-v1.1-25Nov20_WMV.pdf
[11]Ford ES, Croft JB, Mannino DM, et al. COPD surveillance - United States, 1999-2011. Chest. 2013 Jul;144(1):284-305.
https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(13)60478-X/fulltext
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23619732?tool=bestpractice.com
Mortality rates in men exceed mortality rates in women.[10]Li X, Cao X, Guo M, et al. Trends and risk factors of mortality and disability adjusted life years for chronic respiratory diseases from 1990 to 2017: systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. BMJ. 2020 Feb 19;368:m234.
https://www.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m234
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32075787?tool=bestpractice.com
An international study reported that the prevalence of COPD in never-smokers is 12.2%.[12]Lamprecht B, McBurnie MA, Vollmer WM, et al. COPD in never smokers: results from the population-based burden of obstructive lung disease study. Chest. 2011 Apr;139(4):752-63.
https://www.doi.org/10.1378/chest.10-1253
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20884729?tool=bestpractice.com
This may be due to air pollution or indoor burning of solid fuels in low and middle income countries. In the US, the prevalence of COPD in never-smokers is 2.2%. Many of these cases are attributed to workplace exposures.[13]Syamlal G, Doney B, Mazurek JM. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease prevalence among adults who have never smoked, by industry and occupation - United States, 2013-2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019 Apr 5;68(13):303-7.
https://www.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6813a2
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30946736?tool=bestpractice.com