<p>Unique Mortality Profile in Japanese Patients with COPD: An Analysis from the Hokkaido COPD Cohort Study</p>

Abstract

Causes of death may be unique and different in Japanese patients with COPD because they are generally older, thinner, experience fewer exacerbations, and live longer than those in other countries. We investigated the detailed mortality profile in the Hokkaido COPD cohort study, which completed a 10-year follow-up with a very low dropout rate. Patients and Methods: We prospectively examined the 10-year natural history in 279 Japanese patients with COPD (GOLD 1, 26%; GOLD 2, 45%; GOLD 3, 24%; and GOLD 4, 5%). The majority of patients were male, and the average age at baseline was 69 years old. About 95% of all patients had accurate mortality data. The risk factors for mortality were also analyzed. Results: During the 10 years, 112 patients (40%) died. Their median survival time was 6.1 years (interquartile range: 4.7-7.9 years), and age at death was 79 ± 6 years old (mean ± SD). Respiratory diseases, including pneumonia, were the leading causes of death in 45 (40%), followed by lung cancer in 24 (21%), other cancers in 18 (16%), and cardiovascular diseases in 12 (11%). In particular, lung cancer-related death was equally distributed across all COPD stages, with a higher proportion of lung cancer in the relatively younger generation (<64 years old). Older age at baseline, lower BMI, and severer emphysema were significant risk factors for all-cause mortality. Conclusion: The unique mortality profile observed in this study should be considered when designing strategies for the management of patients with COPD in any geographic region.

One‐year clinically important deterioration and long‐term clinical course in Japanese patients with COPD: a multicenter observational cohort study

“…The majority of the participants continued to visit outpatient clinics for appropriate medical care, even if they dropped out of the regular follow-up program. Information on the fatal event was collected as previously described [ 16 ]. This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the ethics committee of Hokkaido University School of Medicine (med02-001).…”

“…The study is based on data from the Hokkaido COPD cohort study, which has previously been described in detail [12][13][14][15][16]. Japanese patients with COPD were enrolled from Hokkaido University Hospital (Sapporo, Japan) and nine affiliated hospitals between May 2003 and May 2005.…”

One-year Clinically Important Deterioration and Long-Term Clinical Course in Japanese patients with COPD: A Multicenter Observational Cohort Study

“…The study is based on data from the Hokkaido COPD cohort study, which has previously been described in detail [12][13][14][15][16]. Japanese patients with COPD were enrolled from Hokkaido University Hospital (Sapporo, Japan) and nine a liated hospitals between May 2003 and May 2005.…”

Utility of Self-Administered Questionnaires for Identifying Individuals at Risk of COPD in Japan: The OCEAN (Okinawa COPD casE finding AssessmeNt) Study

“… 7 A recent study identified a unique profile of COPD mortality in Japan: death from cardiovascular disease was observed less frequently than has been reported among Western countries and a higher proportion of lung cancer-related death was seen in younger Japanese patients (<64 years). 8–10 COPD is a known risk factor for lung cancer, therefore early COPD screening strategies may benefit mortality by helping physicians to screen for lung cancer and thus lowering the proportion of lung cancer-related deaths in Japan. 8 , 11 …”

“… 8–10 COPD is a known risk factor for lung cancer, therefore early COPD screening strategies may benefit mortality by helping physicians to screen for lung cancer and thus lowering the proportion of lung cancer-related deaths in Japan. 8 , 11 …”