BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is rising in many parts of the world. This is a study of risk factors for COPD in Chinese patients in Hong Kong. DESIGN: Case-control study matched by sex and age (+/-5 years). METHODS: A total of 289 consecutive patients with COPD were recruited from out-patient clinics while healthy controls were recruited from two sources: random population and community centres for senior citizens. All patients and controls underwent a questionnaire-based interview and spirometry. RESULTS: The mean ages of COPD patients and controls were 71.1 +/- 9.4 and 67.5 +/- 9.3 years, respectively. The male to female ratio of COPD patients was 5 to 1. Smoking was found to be the most important determinant for COPD, followed by poor education and low body mass index adjusted for confounders. A dose-dependent relationship was found between the risk of COPD and pack-years smoked. Place of birth, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and a history of asthma and tuberculosis were not associated with increased risk of COPD. CONCLUSION: Despite a progressive reduction in prevalence, smoking remains the most important predictor of COPD in Hong Kong. Greater anti-smoking efforts are warranted.
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is rising in many parts of the world. This is a study of risk factors for COPD in Chinese patients in Hong Kong. DESIGN: Case-control study matched by sex and age (+/-5 years). METHODS: A total of 289 consecutive patients with COPD were recruited from out-patient clinics while healthy controls were recruited from two sources: random population and community centres for senior citizens. All patients and controls underwent a questionnaire-based interview and spirometry. RESULTS: The mean ages of COPDpatients and controls were 71.1 +/- 9.4 and 67.5 +/- 9.3 years, respectively. The male to female ratio of COPDpatients was 5 to 1. Smoking was found to be the most important determinant for COPD, followed by poor education and low body mass index adjusted for confounders. A dose-dependent relationship was found between the risk of COPD and pack-years smoked. Place of birth, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and a history of asthma and tuberculosis were not associated with increased risk of COPD. CONCLUSION: Despite a progressive reduction in prevalence, smoking remains the most important predictor of COPD in Hong Kong. Greater anti-smoking efforts are warranted.
Authors: Jaime R Lopez; Khamphithoune Somsamouth; Boualoy Mounivong; Ryan Sinclair; Sam Soret; Synnove Knutsen; Pramil N Singh Journal: Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health Date: 2014-01 Impact factor: 0.267
Authors: Jing Chen; Catherine Mary Schooling; Janice Mary Johnston; Anthony Johnson Hedley; Sarah Morag McGhee Journal: PLoS One Date: 2011-09-15 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Way K W Lau; Moira M W Chan-Yeung; Benjamin H K Yip; Amy H K Cheung; Mary S M Ip; Judith C W Mak Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-02-03 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Janice M Leung; Pei Yee Tiew; Micheál Mac Aogáin; Kurtis F Budden; Valerie Fei Lee Yong; Sangeeta S Thomas; Kevin Pethe; Philip M Hansbro; Sanjay H Chotirmall Journal: Respirology Date: 2017-03-25 Impact factor: 6.424