COPD is more common in older people, especially those aged 65 years and older. The prevalence of COPD in the US is estimated at 14%.[7]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
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.[8]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
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 aging 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