Recent Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Rapidly Aging Society: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2019

Abstract

Background The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases with age, and aging is an important risk factor for COPD development. In the era of global aging, demographic information about the prevalence of and factors associated with COPD are important to establish COPD care plans. However, limited information is available in rapidly aging societies, including Korea. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional observational study using Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2015–2019. We included 15,613 participants and analyzed trends of and factors associated with COPD. Results During the study period, the overall prevalence of COPD was 12.9%. Over five years, the yearly prevalence of COPD was fairly constant, ranging from 11.5% to 13.6%. Among individuals aged ≥ 70 years, nearly one-third met COPD diagnostic criteria. In the multivariable analysis, age 70 years or older was the most strong factor associated with COPD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 17.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 14.16–22.52; compared with age 40–49), followed by asthma (aOR, 3.39; 95% CI, 2.44–4.71), male sex (aOR, 2.64; 95% CI, 2.18–3.19), and current smokers (aOR, 2.60; 95% CI, 2.08–3.25). Additionally, ex-smokers, low income, decreased forced expiratory volume in 1 second %pred, and a history of pulmonary tuberculosis were associated with COPD. On the other hand, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m 2 (aOR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.54–0.71; compared with BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m 2 ) had an inverse association with COPD. Conclusion Recent trends in the prevalence of COPD in South Korea are relatively stable. Approximately one-third of participants aged 70 years and older had COPD. Aging was the most important factor associated with COPD.

Clinical Characteristics and Frequency of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations in Korean Patients: Findings From the KOCOSS Cohort 2012–2021

“… 5 Across all age groups (40–49, 50–59, 60–69, and ≥ 70 years), the highest prevalence of COPD was observed in patients aged ≥ 70 years (30.4%), with the prevalence also being higher in males than females (19.9% vs. 6.4%). 5 Based on longitudinal data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), a key institution that provides healthcare insurance to all citizens in South Korea, 6 the 5-year mortality of Korean patients with COPD was 25.4%, and this increased rapidly with age. 7 Overall, COPD exerts a substantial socioeconomic burden in South Korea 8 and ranks as the third leading cause of total disability-adjusted life years, accounting for 6.2% of the burden associated with non-communicable diseases.…”

“…2 3 4 Analysis of data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) between 2015 and 2019 revealed that the overall prevalence of COPD in South Korea was 12.9%. 5 Over the 5-year survey period, the annual prevalence of COPD remained constant, ranging between 11.5% and 13.6%. 5 Across all age groups (40–49, 50–59, 60–69, and ≥ 70 years), the highest prevalence of COPD was observed in patients aged ≥ 70 years (30.4%), with the prevalence also being higher in males than females (19.9% vs. 6.4%).…”

“… 5 Over the 5-year survey period, the annual prevalence of COPD remained constant, ranging between 11.5% and 13.6%. 5 Across all age groups (40–49, 50–59, 60–69, and ≥ 70 years), the highest prevalence of COPD was observed in patients aged ≥ 70 years (30.4%), with the prevalence also being higher in males than females (19.9% vs. 6.4%). 5 Based on longitudinal data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), a key institution that provides healthcare insurance to all citizens in South Korea, 6 the 5-year mortality of Korean patients with COPD was 25.4%, and this increased rapidly with age.…”

Increased Risk of Incident Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Related Hospitalizations in Tuberculosis Survivors: A Population-Based Matched Cohort Study

“…1 Globally, the disease burden of COPD is expected to increase in the future due to continued exposure to COPD risk factors and world population aging. 2 3 Apart from smoking and air pollution, a history of respiratory infections is now recognized as an important but underrecognized etiology of COPD 4 5 that should be managed properly.…”

“…The concept that a previous pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) history is associated with the development of chronic airway obstruction is now well established. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Particularly, it has been reported that the risk of COPD is up to 3 times higher in patients with a previous TB diagnosis than in those without a previous TB diagnosis. 8 9 Even after successful TB treatment, a considerable proportion of survivors from TB (TB survivors) suffer from impairment of pulmonary function and persistent pulmonary inflammation.…”