Identifying risk factors for COPD and adult-onset asthma: an umbrella review

Abstract

BackgroundCOPD and adult-onset asthma (AOA) are the most common noncommunicable respiratory diseases. To improve early identification and prevention, an overview of risk factors is needed. We therefore aimed to systematically summarise the nongenetic (exposome) risk factors for AOA and COPD. Additionally, we aimed to compare the risk factors for COPD and AOA.MethodsIn this umbrella review, we searched PubMed for articles from inception until 1 February 2023 and screened the references of relevant articles. We included systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational epidemiological studies in humans that assessed a minimum of one lifestyle or environmental risk factor for AOA or COPD.ResultsIn total, 75 reviews were included, of which 45 focused on risk factors for COPD, 28 on AOA and two examined both. For asthma, 43 different risk factors were identified while 45 were identified for COPD. For AOA, smoking, a high body mass index (BMI), wood dust exposure and residential chemical exposures, such as formaldehyde exposure or exposure to volatile organic compounds, were amongst the risk factors found. For COPD, smoking, ambient air pollution including nitrogen dioxide, a low BMI, indoor biomass burning, childhood asthma, occupational dust exposure and diet were amongst the risk factors found.ConclusionsMany different factors for COPD and asthma have been found, highlighting the differences and similarities. The results of this systematic review can be used to target and identify people at high risk for COPD or AOA.

A survey on awareness of the disease and pulmonary rehabilitation in bronchial asthma patients in the United Arab Emirates

“…This finding aligns with previous research [ 36 ] highlighting the link between obesity and the prevalence of asthma, potentially due to systemic inflammation or mechanical effects on the airways. A systematic review and meta-analysis identified 43 different risk factors for asthma, including smoking, high body mass index (BMI), wood dust exposure, and residential chemical exposures, such as formaldehyde exposure or exposure to volatile organic compounds [ 37 ]. However, despite the plethora of treatment options available, many patients do not have their asthma under control, with symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath disrupting their daily lives.…”

Opinion: how are advances in aerosol science informing our understanding of the health impacts of outdoor particulate pollution?

“…For this, the emergence of extensive networks of surface measurements, satellite remote sensing, and numerical models was indispensable for providing global air quality data with which epidemiologists could estimate the adverse health effects of air pollution. Since then, numerous studies have documented the chronic and acute health effects of air pollution, many with a global perspective (Burnett et al, 2018;Cohen et al, 2017;Mcduffie et al, 2021;Richard T. Burnett, 2014;Lelieveld et al, 2015;Lelieveld et al, 2019;Chen et al, 2018b;Chen and Hoek, 2020;De Bont et al, 2022;Holtjer et al, 2023;Nyadanu et al, 2022). Today, air pollution remains a major public health concern, and efforts continue to reduce emissions and improve air quality.…”

“…CC BY 4.0 License. (Holtjer et al, 2023), which are responsible for most of the estimated air-pollution-related mortality (Burnett et al, 2018;Cohen et al, 2017;Chen and Hoek, 2020). Current epidemiological evidence reveals that no level of air pollution can be deemed safe and even low levels of PM may carry significant risks (Strak et al, 2021;Pinault et al, 2016;Cohen et al, 2017;Dominici et al, 2022;Brunekreef, 2021;Brauer et al, 2019).…”