Outcomes for symptomatic non-obstructed individuals and individuals with mild (GOLD stage 1) COPD in a population based cohort.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to study the adverse outcomes of symptomatic and asymptomatic non-obstructed individuals and those with mild COPD longitudinally in participants from three Latin-American cities.
METHODS: Two population-based surveys of adults with spirometry were conducted for these same individuals with a 5- to 9-year interval. We evaluated the impact of respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, wheezing or dyspnea) in non-obstructed individuals, and among those classified as Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage 1, COPD on exacerbation frequency, mortality and FEV1 decline, compared with asymptomatic individuals without airflow obstruction or restriction.
RESULTS: Non-obstructed symptomatic individuals had a marginal increased risk of mortality (HR 1.3; 95% CI 0.9-1.94), increased FEV1 decline (-4.5 mL/year; 95% CI -8.6, -0.4) and increased risk of 2+ exacerbations in the previous year (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.2-6.5). Individuals with GOLD stage 1 had a marginal increase in mortality (HR 1.5; 95% CI 0.93-2.3) but a non-significant impact on FEV1 decline or exacerbations compared with non-obstructed individuals.
CONCLUSIONS: The presence of respiratory symptoms in non-obstructed individuals was a predictor of mortality, lung-function decline and exacerbations, whereas the impact of GOLD stage 1 was mild and inconsistent. Respiratory symptoms were associated with asthma, current smoking, and the report of heart disease. Spirometric case-finding and treatment should target individuals with moderate-to-severe airflow obstruction and those with restriction, the groups with consistent increased mortality.

Introduction

COPD is the third leading cause of death in the world.1 It has been considered a consequence of rapid lung-function decline, but also the consequence of poor lung development either before or after birth.2

In the Proyecto Latinoamericano de Investigación en Obstrucción Pulmonar (PLATINO) study population, we described cross-sectionally the main characteristics of COPD in a population-based sample,3 and longitudinally, mortality rates and lung-function decline according to COPD status in three Latin America metropolises (the PLA-TINO follow-up study).4 In this study individuals with post-bronchodilator (post-BD) Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second/Forced Vital Capacity (FEV1/FVC)<0.70 and FEV1 ≥80% predicted (%P) known as Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage 1 group5 or mild COPD was by far the most numerous group of COPD found (8.5% of the population studied in PLATINO, and 59% of identified COPD). The Burden of Obstructive Lung Diseases (BOLD) study reported a prevalence of GOLD 1 ranging from 1.4% to 15.5%, with an average of 8.1%.6 In addition, false-positives in this group are frequent in advanced age, especially if the fixed ratio is used for the diagnosis of airflow obstruction.7 Furthermore, interventions specifically designed for mild COPD are nearly nil, in that the majority of clinical trials select individuals with reduced FEV1, frequently FEV1 <60%P. In the PLATINO’s longitudinal study, the FEV1 was the main predictor of survival,4 as well as a predictor of lung-function decline.8 As GOLD stage 1 (mild COPD) individuals have a normal FEV1 by definition, we would expect a mild or non-significant impact on these outcomes.

Lung-function decline in GOLD stage I COPD patients was assessed previously in one large cohort, and asymptomatic participants had a slightly slower decline than those with chronic cough and phlegm.9 On the other hand, exacerbations have been associated with accelerated lung-function loss in subjects with established COPD, particularly those with mild disease.10 Recently, the relevance of respiratory symptoms in the prognosis, treatment selection and the natural history of COPD, especially in individuals with no airflow obstruction, has been emphasized,11 as well as the impact of mild airflow obstruction12 and both were considered a relevant research issue by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the European Thoracic Society (ERS).13 Therefore, we conducted this study to determine the association of the presence of respiratory symptoms in non-obstructed individuals and of mild COPD with lung-function decline, exacerbations and mortality in COPD subjects from two population-based surveys.

Method

The study protocol for the baseline study was approved by the ethics committee of the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias de Mexico, the Universidad Central de Venezuela, the Universidad Federal de Pelotas, and Universidad Federal de São Paulo in Brazil, the Universidad Pontificia Católica de Chile, and Hospital Maciel, Universidad de la República in Uruguay; the latter four approved the follow-up study. Participants signed an informed consent.

The detailed methods of the PLATINO baseline14 and follow-up studies15 are available elsewhere. Between the years 2003 and 2005, population-based surveys were conducted employing standardized methodology in five large Latin-American metropolitan areas: Sao Paulo (Brazil); Mexico City (Mexico); Montevideo (Uruguay); Santiago (Chile) and Caracas (Venezuela). We successfully interviewed 1,000 subjects aged 40 years or older in Sao Paulo, 1,063 in Mexico City, 943 in Montevideo, 1,208 in Santiago and 1,357 in Caracas. Spirometry testing was performed in 963 (97.9%) subjects in Sao Paulo, 1,000 (98.3%) in Mexico City, 885 (97.1%) in Montevideo, 1,173 (99.8%) in Santiago and 1,294 (98.4%) in Caracas.3 The questionnaire, available at the PLATINO website,36 is comparable to that used in the BOLD study,14 and included sections of the American Thoracic Society Division of Lung Diseases (ATS/DLD), European Community Respiratory Health Survey II, Lung Health Study instruments, the Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea scale and questions from the SF12 (a 12-item short form health survey) to assess overall health status.14

Spirometry was performed using an ultrasonic spirometer (EasyOne; ndd Medical Technologies, Zurich, Switzerland) before (pre-BD) and 15 minutes after the administration of 200 µg of Salbutamol (post-BD) according to the ATS criteria of acceptability and reproducibility16 with >90% of the tests fulfilling the ATS quality criteria.

Follow-up studies were conducted in Montevideo, Santiago and Sao Paulo 5, 6 and 9 years after the baseline surveys, respectively. Individuals were visited at their homes based on the contact information provided by them during the baseline exam.15

GOLD lung-function criteria for defining COPD was utilized: a post-BD FEV1/FVC <0.70, with staging based on the percentage predicted for FEV1: FEV1,%P ≥ 80= Stage I (mild COPD); FEV1,%P ≥50 and <80= Stage II; FEV1,%P ≥ 30 and <50= Stage III; FEV1,%P <30= Stage IV.5 GOLD stages 2–4 defined as FEV1/FVC <0.7 and FEV1 <80%P were also analyzed for increasing the specificity of the COPD diagnosis. Restriction was defined as a post-BD FVC <80%P and a FEV1/FVC ≥0.7,17 to be consistent with GOLD stages.

We estimated the association of spirometric GOLD stages, with a set of adverse outcomes obtained during the survey (death, annual decline in FEV1, and the report of 2+ exacerbations in the previous year of second survey). Our reference group was the non-obstructed non-restricted asymptomatic participants: those who lacked a report of cough, phlegm (both even without a cold), wheezing (in the last year) and dyspnea (dyspnea ≤1 according to the MRC scale). Adverse outcomes, especially death,4 as well as lung-function decline,8 were analyzed previously in detail, including the main risk factors. However, the aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of mild COPD and respiratory symptoms on decline, death and exacerbations. For the purpose of this study, COPD exacerbation was self-reported and defined by symptoms using the following questions18: 1) Have you ever had a period where your breathing symptoms got so bad that they interfered with your usual daily activities or caused you to miss work? 2) How many such episodes have you had in the past 12 months? 3) For how many of these episodes did you need to see a doctor in the past 12 months? 4) For how many of these episodes were you hospitalized in the past 12 months?

The risk of death during follow-up was estimated by fitting Cox proportional-hazard models, while the risk of two or more exacerbations in the previous year was calculated by fitting a logistic regression model, and the annual decline in post-BD FEV1 (mL/year) was calculated by subtracting the second measurement from the first and dividing the difference between the exact number of years between the two examinations8 in a multiple linear regression model.

As co-variables, we analyzed age; gender; current smoking (expressed as yes or no and also by the number of cigarettes smoked per day); cumulative smoking in pack-years; obesity (BMI >30 kg/m2); years of education as an indicator of socioeconomic status; hour-years of exposure to biomass smoke while cooking (average number of years exposed multiplied by the average hours per day exposed); years of exposure to an occupation with dust, smokes or gases; previous physician diagnosis of asthma, COPD, diabetes or heart disease; or respiratory hospitalizations as children, obtained from a questionnaire. Utilization of health services was explored by the report of the use of any respiratory medication, exacerbations in the previous year requiring hospitalization, physician consultation or leading to missing days of work. We queried about self-perception of good or excellent health, feeling depressed or with little energy or calm.

Chronic bronchitis was defined as chronic phlegm (or chronic cough and phlegm) on the majority of the days of the week for 3 months of the year for two consecutive years.19

Results

Follow-up evaluations were conducted for 885 adults in Montevideo, 1,173 in Santiago and 963 in Sao Paulo; information was obtained for 758 (85.6%), 993 (84.7%) and 748 (77.7%) subjects, respectively. Among these, 2,026 had a good quality post-BD spirometry test in both examinations. Follow-up rates for each independent-variable category were around 80%.15 During follow-up, a total of 301 deaths among participants were documented.

The clinical characteristics in the two evaluations have been previously presented.4,8 Compared with the first examination, individuals with a follow-up exam were older, with less current smoking, and with slightly lower lung function.

Table 1 describes the characteristics of the analyzed groups: non-obstructed and non-restricted individuals, (FEV1/FVC ≥0.7, FVC ≥80%P), asymptomatic (n=942; 31.2%), the reference group, and symptomatic (n=1,355; 44.9%), the restricted group (n=200; 6.6%), and the obstructed groups: GOLD stage 1 (n=323; 10.7%) and GOLD stages 2–4 or moderate-to-severe (n=201; 6.7%). As airflow obstruction increases there is tendency toward an increase the age, asthma, chronic bronchitis, previous tuberculosis (TB), and exposure to occupations involving dust, whereas the BMI decreases in the severely obstructed patients. Non-obstructed symptomatic individuals tend to concentrate a larger proportion of women with a previous diagnosis of asthma or COPD, currently smoking and with more frequent exacerbations in comparison with the asymptomatic non-obstructed individuals. Use of respiratory medications, missing days of work, hospitalizations and physician consultations associated with exacerbations, as well as poor perception of health were higher in symptomatic non-obstructed individuals and in those with more severe obstruction (Table 1). Table S1 separates GOLD stage 1 into asymptomatic (n=100) and symptomatic individuals (N=223) the latter also with a higher proportion of women, previous asthma, current smoking, more use of respiratory medications and a more uncommon perception of good or excellent heath than the asymptomatic group.

Table 1

Characteristics of the baseline groups of obstruction/respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, dyspnea or wheezing) evaluated*

Characteristic	Asymptomatic non-obstructed (N=942)	Symptomatic non-obstructed (N=1,355)	GOLD stage 1 (N=323)	GOLD stages 2–4 (N=201)	Restrictive (N=200)
	Mean (SD) or % (95% CI)	Mean (SD) or % (95% CI)	Mean (SD) or % (95% CI)	Mean (SD) or % (95% CI)	Mean (SD) or % (95% CI)
Men (95% CI)	45.5 (42.4; 48.7)	32.8 (30.3; 35.4)	55.4 (49.9; 60.8)	50.7 (43.8; 57.7)	43.5 (36.7; 50.5)
Age (years)	55.5 (11.5)	55.6 (11.2)	65.3 (12.7)	62.6 (11.5)	56.9 (11.7)
Height (cm)	161.2 (9.9)	158.8 (9.4)	161.0 (9.9)	162.0 (9.7)	160.7 (10.5)
BMI (kg/m2)	27.2 (4.5)	28.9 (5.8)	27.2 (5.2)	26.9 (5.8)	29.1 (5.9)
FEV1 pre-BD (L)	2.86 (0.8)	2.64 (0.7)	2.3 (0.7)	1.6 (0.6)	2.01 (0.67)
FEV1 post-BD (L)	2.97 (0.8)	2.74 (0.7)	2.5 (0.7)	1.7 (0.6)	2.07 (0.65)
FVC pre-BD (L)	3.73 (1.0)	3.47 (0.9)	3.7 (1.1)	2.8 (0.9)	2.62 (0.83)
FVC post-BD (L)	3.71 (1.0)	3.43 (0.9)	3.8 (1.0)	3.0 (0.9)	2.54 (0.76)
FEV1/FVC pre-BD	77.1 (6.0)	76.1 (6.1)	64.4 (6.8)	55.4 (11.1)	77.0 (7.5)
FEV1/FVC post-BD	80.4 (5.1)	79.8 (4.8)	64.9 (4.6)	57.1 (10.7)	81.3 (6.0)
Good quality pre-BD* (95% CI)	94.8 (93.2; 96.0)	94.1 (92.7; 95.2)	92.0 (88.4; 94.5)	90.0 (85.0; 93.5)	95.0 (90; 97)
Good quality post-BD* (95% CI)	93.3 (91.6; 94.7)	94.8 (93.5; 95.9)	91.5 (87.8; 94.1)	93.8 (89.3; 96.5)	94.0 (89.7; 96.7)
History of asthma (95% CI)	5.5 (4.2; 7.2)	18.7 (16.7; 20.9)	16.7 (13.0; 21.2)	38.8 (32.3; 45.8)	15.5 (11.1; 21.2)
History of COPD (95% CI)	0.9 (0.5; 1.8)	4.6 (3.6; 5.8)	5.6 (3.5; 8.7)	19.4 (14.5; 25.5)	6.0 (3.4; 10.3)
Current smoker (95% CI)	20.7 (18.2; 23.4)	36.1 (33.6; 38.7)	36.2 (31.1; 41.6)	38.3 (31.8; 45.3)	33.5 (27.2; 40.4)
Exacerbations in the last year	0.01 (0.3)	0.4 (9.5)	0.1 (0.6)	5.2 (37.1)	2.0 (25.8)
Two or more exacerbations in the last year	−	3.4 (2.6; 4.6)	2.5 (1.2; 5.9)	9.5 (6.1; 14.4)	5.3 (2.5; 10.9)
Previous tuberculosis	1.9 (1.4; 3.2)	3.1 (2.3; 4.2)	5.0 (3.0; 8.0)	9.5 (6.1; 14.4)	5.0 (2.7; 9.1)
Exposure to occupations with dust (10+ years)	28.7 (25.9; 31.8)	30.5 (28.1; 33.0)	39.0 (33.8; 44.5)	41.3 (34.6; 48.2)	37.4 (29.4; 46.1)
Physician diagnosis of COPD + FEV1/FVC <0.7	–	–	5.6 (3.5; 8.7)	19.4 (14.5; 25.5)	–
Physician diagnosed asthma + post-BD FEV1/FVC <0.7	–	–	16.7 (13.0; 21.2)	38.8 (32.3; 45.8)	–
Wheezing last year + response to BD + post-BD FEV1/FVC <0.7	–	–	8.3 (5.1; 13.2)	23.1 (15.9; 32.3)	–
Chronic bronchitis (phlegm)	–	10.9 (9.3; 12.7)	8.0 (5.5; 11.6)	18.9 (14.0; 25.0)	16.0 (10.6; 23.5)
Chronic bronchitis (cough or phlegm)	–	17.5 (15.6; 19.6)	13.3 (10.0; 17.5)	26.4 (20.7; 32.9)	18.3 (12.5; 26.0)
Chronic bronchitis (cough and phlegm)	–	4.7 (3.7; 6.0)	4.0 (2.3; 6.8)	10.9 (7.3; 16.1)	6.1 (3.1; 8.1)
Use of any respiratory medication	7.0 (5.5; 8.8)	20.1 (18.1–22.4)	16.7 (13.0–21.2)	40.8 (34.2; 47.8)	16.0 (10.6–23.4)
Missing any day of work last year	5.7 (4.4; 7.4)	15.2 (13.4–17.2)	13.3 (10.0–17.5)	30.8 (24.8; 37.6)	13.7 (8.8–20.9)
Respiratory hospitalization as children	2.6 (0.2–3.8)	3.0 (2.2–4.1)	1.2 (0.4–3.2)	5.0 (2.7; 9.1)	3.0 (1.3; 6.6)
Respiratory hospitalization last year	–	0.6 (0.3–1.3)	0.3 (0.04–2.1)	2.5 (1.0; 5.9)	–
Consultation with physician last year	0.9 (0.5–1.8)	5.9 (4.8–7.3)	3.7 (2.1–6.4)	10.0 (6.5; 15.0)	6.1 (3.1–11.8)
Self-perception of good or excellent health	87.1 (84.8–89.1)	62.1 (59.4–64.6)	74.9 (69.9–79.4)	57.2 (50.2; 63.9)	61.8 (53.2–69.8)
Feeling with little calm	10.4 (8.6–12.5)	20.9 (18.8–23.1)	15.5 (11.9–19.9)	21.4 (16.2; 27.7)	19.0 (13.2–26.8)
Feeling depressed	5.0 (3.8–6.5)	15.7 (13.9–17.7)	10.2 (0.3–14.0)	18.9 (14.0; 25.0)	12.2 (7.6–19.1)
Little energy	4.6 (3.4–6.1)	14.9 (13.1–16.9)	9.9 (7.1–13.7)	20.4 (15.3; 26.6)	12.9 (8.2–19.9)

Notes:

Symptoms were cough, or phlegm or wheezing or dyspnea >1. BMI = weight/height2; SD = standard deviation; pre-BD = before bronchodilator; post-BD = after bronchodilator. Good quality = three acceptable tests with two best FEV1 and FVC within <150 mL; 95% CI = 95% confidence interval. Asthma-COPD overlap = medical diagnosis of asthma (first definition) + FEV1/FVC <0.7 post-BD or wheezing in the last year plus response to bronchodilator plus FEV1/FVC <0.7 in the second definition, Chronic bronchitis is phlegm, cough or phlegm, or cough and phlegm most days for >3 months in a year for >2 consecutive years. “–” indicates 0 (nil).

Abbreviations: BD, bronchodilator; GOLD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.

Table 2 describes the association (odds ratio [OR] and 95% CI) of GOLD stages with the outcomes analyzed in the COPD population, unadjusted and adjusted by age, gender, BMI, education, comorbidities and smoking (adjusted 1) and all of the previous plus FEV1 post-BD (adjusted 2). The rate of deaths and frequent exacerbations tended to increase as the severity of airflow obstruction increased and in the restricted group, this mainly attributable to reduced FEV1 as an impact of the GOLD stage on mortality and exacerbations was considerably reduced adjusting by FEV1 (Table 2, adjusted 2 column). Similar models with GOLD stage 1 separated into asymptomatic and symptomatic groups are described in Table S2.

Table 2

Adjusted association (OR 95% CI) between GOLD stage at baseline, deaths, lung-function decline and exacerbations in the follow-up visit, with respiratory symptoms evaluated as cough, phlegm, dyspnea or wheezing

Obstruction/symptoms category	Unadjusted		Adjusted 1		Adjusted 2
	Deaths
	HR (95% CI)	P-value	HR (95% CI)	P-value	HR (95% CI)	P-value
Non-obstructed asymptomatic	1.00 (reference)		1.00 (reference)		1.00 (reference)
Non-obstructed symptomatic	1.40 (0.98; 2.01)	0.06	1.35 (0.94; 1.95)	0.101	1.31 (0.9; 1.9)	0.157
Mild obstruction (FEV1 ≥80% of predicted)	3.43 (2.3; 5.2)	<0.001	1.53 (1.01; 2.3)	0.043	1.45 (0.93; 2.3)	0.099
Moderate–severe obstruction (FEV1 <80% of predicted)	5.6 (3.7; 8.5)	<0.001	2.95 (1.9; 4.5)	<0.001	2.1 (1.2; 3.7)	0.010
Restrictive (FVC <80%P and FEV1/FVC >0.7)	2.8 (1.69; 4.5)	<0.001	2.34 (1.43; 3.84)	0.001	1.91 (1.09; 3.34)	0.023
	Lung-function decline
	β (95% CI)	P-value	β (95% CI)	P-value	β (95% CI)	P-value
Non-obstructed asymptomatic	0.00 (reference)		0.00 (reference)		0.00 (reference)
Non-obstructed symptomatic	−0.84 (−4.90; 3.18)	0.682	−3.55 (−7.7; 0.59)	0.093	−4.45 (−8.6; −0.36)	0.035
Mild obstruction (FEV1 ≥80% of predicted)	−1.14 (−7.6; 5.2)	0.727	−0.35 (−6.96; 6.24)	0.915	−4.51 (−11.3; 2.2)	0.189
Moderate–severe obstruction (FEV1 <80% of predicted)	4.14 (−4.0; 12.3)	0.318	4.5 (−3.7; 12.8)	0.278	−8.1 (−17.4; 1.2)	0.089
Restrictive (FVC <80%P and FEV1/FVC >0.7)	19.0 (11.0; 27)	<0.001	17.8 (9.7; 25.8)	<0.001	7.7 (−0.83; 16.4)	0.077
	Exacerbations in past year (at least 2)
	OR (95% CI)	P-value	OR (95% CI)	P-value	OR (95% CI)	P-value
Non-obstructed asymptomatic	1.00 (reference)		1.00 (reference)		1.00 (reference)
Non-obstructed symptomatic	4.03 (1.8; 9.1)	0.001	2.81 (1.22; 6.45)	0.015	2.57 (1.24; 6.49)	0.027
Mild obstruction (FEV1 ≥80% of predicted)	2.43 (0.77; 7.76)	0.131	2.74 (0.82; 9.06)	0.10	1.53 (0.43; 5.56)	0.514
Moderate–severe obstruction (FEV1 <80% of predicted)	7.5 (2.7; 21.0)	<0.001	7.5 (2.5; 22.1)	<0.001	1.50 (0.40; 5.6)	0.543
Restrictive (FVC <80%P and FEV1/FVC >0.7)	5.9 (2.0; 17.2)	0.001	5.0 (1.7; 14.9)	0.004	1.45 (0.43; 4.88)	0.541

Notes: 95% CI, 95% confidence interval; inconsistent, different result between the two examinations. (1) adjusted by age, gender, BMI and education, comorbidities, restriction and after the first line by smoking (pack-years and cigarettes/day). (2) adjusted model 1 + FEV1 (post-BD) = the main determinant of decline.

Abbreviations: BD, bronchodilator; GOLD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.

The presence of respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, cough or phlegm or wheezing) in non-obstructed individuals slightly increases the risk of death (adjusted HR 1.3, 95% CI 0.90–1.94), whereas it significantly increases the risk of frequent exacerbations (OR 2.6; 95% CI: 1.24–6.5) and lung-function decline (−4.5 mL/year) in excess to reference; 95% CI: −8.6, −0.36) adjusting for age, gender, BMI, education, comorbidities, smoking and FEV1 post-BD (Table 2) (Figure 1).

Figure 1

Survival curves of non-obstructed, non-restricted individuals with respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, dyspnea or wheezing), non-obstructed symptomatic (NO-S) and asymptomatic (Control), compared with those with airflow obstruction GOLD stage 1 (GOLD 1), GOLD stages 2–4 (GOLD 2–4), and restrictive pattern, adjusted by mean age (57 years), feminine gender, education, pack-years of smoking and comorbidities (as in Adjusted 1 column, Table 2).

Notes: Symptomatic non-obstructed individuals had an increased risk of death than controls and stage-1 individuals but better outcome than individuals with moderate-to-severe airflow obstruction and restrictive spirometric defect. Survival of GOLD stage 1 overlaps with non-obstructed symptomatic individuals.

Abbreviation: GOLD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.

Symptoms in non-obstructed individuals were associated with a prior diagnosis of asthma (OR 4.7; 95% CI: 3.5–6.3) or heart disease (OR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.7–2.8), with feminine gender (OR 1.5; 95% CI: 1.3–1.8), current smoking (OR 3.1; 95% CI: 2.6–3.8), passive smoking (OR 1.2; 95% CI: 1.02–1.4) and previous dusty occupations (OR 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2–1.7), in a multivariate logistic regression model. Asthma, wheezing and current smoking were also significantly associated with other combinations of symptoms: cough/phlegm, cough/phlegm/dyspnea or chronic bronchitis, whereas a report of heart disease, passive smoking or occupational exposure was associated with some of these (See Table S3). Among the 1,355 non-obstructed symptomatic individuals, 36.1% were current smokers, 18.7% had a previous medical diagnosis of asthma, 40.1% were exposed to passive smoke, 2.7% were exposed to biomass smoke (26% were exposed previously), 56.0% worked previously in a dusty occupation and 18.9% reported the presence of heart disease. A total of 87% of the non-obstructed symptomatic subjects had at least one of the described risk factors compared with 74% of the asymptomatic individuals.

Mild COPD was weakly associated with increased mortality (HR 1.5; 95% CI, 1.01–2.3), but not with increased risk of exacerbation (OR 2.8; 95% CI, 0.8–9.06), nor a faster lung-function decline (−0.35 mL/year; 95% CI −7.0; +6.2) adjusting for age, gender, BMI, education, smoking and comorbidities (see Table 2, Figure 1 and Figure S1).

Moderate and severe airflow obstruction (GOLD stages 2–4) consistently increased the risk of death (HR 2.95, 95% CI 1.9–4.5, Figure 1 and Figure S1), and frequent exacerbations (OR 7.5, 95% CI; 2.5–22.1) whereas this did not predict a more pronounced decline in lung function unless adjusted by baseline post-BD FEV1 (the most relevant predictor) (Table 2). Individuals with a spirometric restrictive pattern had increased the risk of death (HR 2.34, 95% CI 1.4–3.8) and frequent exacerbations (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.4–14.9) but not increased FEV1 decline (Table 2, Figure 1)

GOLD stages 2–4, not present in the first evaluation, appeared in 55 individuals in the second (incident GOLD 2–4), distributed at baseline more frequently in the symptomatic groups (non-obstructed and with GOLD stage 1) (Table S4). Significant predictors of incident GOLD 2–4 included the presence of symptoms at baseline (OR 2.1; 95% CI, 1.0–4.3), as well as asthma (OR 2.9; 95% CI, 1.5–5.5), masculine gender (OR 2.5; 95% CI, 1.4–4.5) and current smoking (OR 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0–3.2) (see Table S5, Adjusted 1), but baseline post-BD FEV1 was the most relevant predictor (OR 0.34; 95% CI, 0.21–0.55) and once included in the model (see Table S5, Adjusted 2), the association with symptoms disappeared but persisted with asthma or smoking.

Discussion

We have described the association of the presence of symptoms in non-obstructed individuals and of mild COPD (GOLD stage 1) with several remarkable outcomes (death, frequent exacerbations, airflow obstruction and lung-function decline) in a population-based follow-up study carried out in three Latin-American cities. We found that respiratory symptoms in non-obstructed individuals and mild airflow obstruction, in adjusted models, had mild adverse outcomes compared with those of asymptomatic non-obstructed individuals, whereas individuals with a reduced FEV1% (GOLD stages 2–4) or reduced FVC entertain a substantially increased risk of death and exacerbations. In addition, non-obstructed symptomatic individuals exhibit in general a slightly faster decline in FEV1.

Several studies have found adverse outcomes in symptomatic individuals and in those with mild COPD. In one population-based study,9 individuals with symptomatic stage 1 COPD had a faster decline in FEV1 (−9 mL/year in excess to reference), increased respiratory-care utilization (OR 1.6) and a lower quality of life than asymptomatic subjects with normal lung function.9 These changes were not observed in individuals with asymptomatic stage 1 COPD. In the COPDGene study,10 27.4% of GOLD stage 1 patients experienced a mean exacerbation rate/year of 0.18 compared with 0.13 of GOLD stage-0 and 0.89 of GOLD stage-4 patients, respectively. From 745 participants with GOLD stage 1 (from a total of approximately 4,000 patients with COPD), only 55% reported being exacerbation-free, 20% reported two or more exacerbations in the previous year and 9.6% reporting one or more hospitalizations.20

The results of the present manuscript reinforce first, the efforts to identify systematically individuals with moderate and severe airflow obstruction (GOLD stages 2–4), characterized by a reduced FEV1, the main predictor of increased death rate4 and of decline in lung function8 as well as those with reduced FVC <80%P, with a restrictive spirometric pattern. Second, in contrast to previous studies,9,10 we observed mild adverse outcomes of GOLD stage 1, supporting the recommendations of prioritize the identification of moderate-to-severe COPD.21,22 Individuals with GOLD stage 1, comprise a numerous group among population-based cohorts (8.4% of the total PLATINO population in baseline) compared with GOLD stages 2–4 (5.6%). Expenses and efforts to identify spirometrically undiagnosed COPD would be considerably reduced focusing for moderate-to-severe airflow obstruction, what can be achieved for example by selecting for diagnostic spirometry individuals with a reduced PEFR or simplified spirometry.23,24 Individuals with moderate-to-severe COPD are precisely those with more proved beneficial interventions in addition to stopping smoking21,22 as most controlled clinical trials testing medications for COPD exclude individuals with mild airflow obstruction.

Third, in line with previous studies11 the presence of respiratory symptoms in non-obstructed individuals requires further evaluation as adversely impact prognosis. In our study, any combination of respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, dyspnea or wheezing, but also classic chronic bronchitis) in non-obstructed individuals was associated with previous diagnosis of asthma10 or wheezing in the last year, and this may suggest asthma undertreatment and underdiagnosis. Symptoms were also associated with current smoking, passive smoking, exposure to dusty occupations and a report of a heart disease. Those lacking one of the explored risk factors in the present study could include several respiratory diseases, gastroesophageal reflux or upper airway diseases, which require detailed evaluation and specific treatment.

Smokers with mild airflow obstruction, and also non-obstructed smokers, may present gas exchange abnormalities and exercise limitation12,25–32 or significant changes of emphysema on CT scanning.33,34 In fact, phenotyping individuals with mild COPD based on CT alterations has been proposed.35 The persistently symptomatic population feels unhealthy, utilizes more health services and has adverse outcomes, although fewer of these than individuals with moderate-to-severe airflow obstruction. Therefore efforts to stop smoking and exposures and treating properly asthma should be emphasized as priorities for symptom management.

As limitations, we have observed these subjects on solely two occasions and were able to perform a second evaluation only in three cities from the five done the baseline. In addition, the percentage of individuals with severe airflow obstruction is small, although the main objective of the study was to compare GOLD stage 1, with non-obstructed individuals. Second, we utilized a definition of exacerbation based on subjects’ report of breathing symptoms, interfering with daily activities or work, but also identified those events requiring a physician visit or hospitalization, likely less subject to inaccurate recall.

The main strengths of this study include the population-based sampling, the high quality of the post-BD spirometry tests,4 and the relatively high rates of follow-up after 6–9 years. In contrast to the large COPD cohorts, our population-based study has a proper non-obstructed population control key for numerous relevant comparisons, with and without respiratory symptoms, previous smoking or abnormalities in FVC.

Conclusion

The presence of respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, wheezing, dyspnea) in non-obstructed individuals as well as mild airflow obstruction demonstrated a mild adverse impact on mortality and exacerbations and were associated with current smoking, exposure to other pollutants and bronchial asthma, requiring among other things improved anti-smoking strategies in health care. Individuals with reduced FEV1 or FVC (moderate-to-severe airflow obstruction and those with spirometric restriction) had the highest mortality risk and constitute a priority target for diagnosis and treatment.

Survival curves of non-obstructed non-restricted individuals with respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, dyspnea or wheezing), non-obstructed symptomatic (NO-S) and asymptomatic (Control), compared with those with spirometric restrictive pattern and airflow obstruction GOLD stage 1, with symptoms (G1-S) and asymptomatic (G1-A), and GOLD stages 2–4 (GOLD 2–4), adjusted by mean age (57 years), feminine gender, education, pack-years of smoking and comorbidities (as in Adjusted 1, Table S2).

Notes: Non-obstructed symptomatic individuals (NO-S) had less survival than controls and stage-1 asymptomatic individuals but better outcome than individuals with moderate-to-severe airflow obstruction, and restrictive pattern. In Table S1, the characteristics of each group, including the participants, are depicted.

Table S1

Characteristics of the baseline groups of obstruction/respiratory symptoms evaluated as cough, phlegm, dyspnea or wheezing separating GOLD stage 1 into symptomatic and asymptomatic*

Characteristic	Asymptomatic non-obstructed (N=942)	Symptomatic non-obstructed (N=1,355)	GOLD stage 1 asymptomatic (N=100)	GOLD stage 1 symptomatic (N=223)	GOLD stages 2–4 (N=201)	Restrictive (N=200)
	Mean (SD) or % (95% CI)	Mean (SD) or % (95% CI)	Mean (SD) or % (95% CI)	Mean (SD) or % (95% CI)	Mean (SD) or % (95% CI)	Mean (SD) or % (95% CI)
Men (95% CI)	45.5 (42.4; 48.7)	32.8 (30.3; 35.4)	61.0 (59.0; 70.2)	52.9 (46.3; 59.4)	50.7 (43.8; 57.7)	43.5 (36.7; 50.5)
Age (years)	55.5 (11.5)	55.6 (11.2)	66.9 (13.2)	64.5 (12.4)	62.6 (11.5)	56.9 (11.7)
Height (cm)	161.2 (9.9)	158.8 (9.4)	161.2 (9.5)	160.9 (10.1)	162.0 (9.7)	160.7 (10.5)
BMI (kg/m2)	27.2 (4.5)	28.9 (5.8)	26.2 (4.7)	27.7 (5.3)	26.9 (5.8)	29.1 (5.9)
FEV1 pre-BD (L)	2.86 (0.8)	2.64 (0.7)	2.4 (0.7)	2.3 (0.7)	1.6 (0.6)	2.01 (0.67)
FEV1 post-BD (L)	2.97 (0.8)	2.74 (0.7)	2.5 (0.7)	2.4 (0.7)	1.7 (0.6)	2.07 (0.65)
FVC pre-BD (L)	3.73 (1.0)	3.47 (0.9)	3.7 (1.1)	3.6 (1.1)	2.8 (0.9)	2.62 (0.83)
FVC post-BD (L)	3.71 (1.0)	3.43 (0.9)	3.8 (1.0)	3.8 (1.1)	3.0 (0.9)	2.54 (0.76)
FEV1/FVC pre-BD	77.1 (6.0)	76.1 (6.1)	65.6 (7.3)	63.9 (6.5)	55.4 (11.1)	77.0 (7.5)
FEV1/FVC post-BD	80.4 (5.1)	79.8 (4.8)	65.3 (4.4)	64.8 (4.7)	57.1 (10.7)	81.3 (6.0)
Good quality pre-BD* (95% CI)	94.8 (93.2; 96.0)	94.1 (92.7; 95.2)	92.0 (84.6; 96.0)	91.9 (87.5; 94.9)	90.0 (85.0; 93.5)	95.0 (90; 97)
Good quality post-BD* (95% CI)	93.3 (91.6; 94.7)	94.8 (93.5; 95.9)	92.9 (85.6; 96.6)	90.9 (86.2; 94.1)	93.8 (89.3; 96.5)	94.0 (89.7; 96.7)
History of Asthma (95% CI)	5.5 (4.2; 7.2)	18.7 (16.7; 20.9)	2.0 (0.5; 7.8)	23.3 (18.2; 29.4)	38.8 (32.3; 45.8)	15.5 (11.1; 21.2)
History of COPD (95% CI)	0.9 (0.5; 1.8)	4.6 (3.6; 5.8)	–	8.1 (5.1; 12.5)	19.4 (14.5; 25.5)	6.0 (3.4; 10.3)
Current smoker (95% CI)	20.7 (18.2; 23.4)	36.1 (33.6; 38.7)	20.0 (13.1; 29.2)	43.5 (37.1; 50.1)	38.3 (31.8; 45.3)	33.5 (27.2; 40.4)
Exacerbations in last year	0.01 (0.3)	0.4 (9.5)	–	0.2 (0.7)	5.2 (37.1)	2.0 (25.8)
Two or more exacerbations in the last year	–	3.4 (2.6; 4.6)	–	3.6 (1.8; 7.0)	9.5 (6.1; 14.4)	5.3 (2.5; 10.9)
Previous tuberculosis	1.9 (1.4; 3.2)	3.1 (2.3; 4.2)	4.0 (1.5; 10.3)	5.4 (3.1; 9.3)	9.5 (6.1; 14.4)	5.0 (2.7; 9.1)
Exposure to jobs with dust (10+ years)	28.7 (25.9; 31.8)	30.5 (28.1; 33.0)	42.0 (32.6; 52.0)	37.7 (31.5; 44.3)	41.3 (34.6; 48.2)	37.4 (29.4; 46.1)
Physician diagnosis of COPD + FEV1/FVC <0.7	–	–	–	8.1 (5.1; 12.5)	19.4 (14.5; 25.5)	–
Physician diagnosed asthma + post-BD FEV1/FVC <0.7	–	–	2.0 (0.5; 7.8)	23.3 (18.2; 29.4)	38.8 (32.3; 45.8)	–
Wheezing last year + response to BD + post-BD FEV1/FVC <0.7	–	–	–	11.9 (7.4; 18.7)	23.1 (15.9; 32.3)	–
Chronic bronchitis (phlegm)	–	10.9 (9.3; 12.7)	–	11.7 (8.0; 16.6)	18.9 (14.0; 25.0)	16.0 (10.6; 23.5)
Chronic bronchitis (cough or phlegm)	–	17.5 (15.6; 19.6)	–	19.3 (14.6; 25.0)	26.4 (20.7; 32.9)	18.3 (12.5; 26.0)
Chronic bronchitis (cough and phlegm)	–	4.7 (3.7; 6.0)	–	5.8 (3.4; 9.8)	10.9 (7.3; 16.1)	6.1 (3.1; 8.1)
Use of any respiratory medication	7.0 (5.5; 8.8)	20.1 (18.1–22.4)	3.0 (1.0; 9.1)	22.9 (17.8; 28.9)	40.8 (34.2; 47.8)	16.0 (10.6; 23.4)
Missing activities, missing work or similar	5.7 (4.4; 7.4)	15.2 (13.4–17.2)	4.0 (1.5; 10.3)	17.5 (13.0; 23.1)	30.8 (24.8; 37.6)	13.7 (8.8; 20.9)
Hospitalization last year	–	0.6 (0.3–1.3)	–	0.4 (0.1; 3.2)	2.5 (1.0; 5.9)	–
Medical consultation last year	0.9 (0.5–1.8)	5.9 (4.8–7.3)	–	5.4 (3.1; 9.3)	10.0 (6.5; 15.0)	6.1 (3.1; 11.8)
Self-perception of good or excellent health	87.1 (84.8–89.1)	62.1 (59.4–64.6)	84.0 (75.3; 90.0)	70.9 (64.5; 76.5)	57.2 (50.2; 63.9)	61.8 (53.2; 69.8)
Feeling depressed	5.0 (3.8–6.5)	15.7 (13.9–17.7)	10.0 (5.4; 17.8)	10.3 (6.9; 15.1)	18.9 (14.0; 25.0)	12.2 (7.6; 19.1)
Little energy	4.6 (3.4–6.1)	14.9 (13.1–16.9)	5.0 (2.1; 11.6)	12.1 (8.4; 17.1)	20.4 (15.3; 26.6)	12.9 (8.2; 19.9)

Notes:

Symptoms were cough, or phlegm or wheezing or dyspnea >1. “–” indicates 0 (nil). Chronic bronchitis is phlegm, cough or phlegm, or cough and phlegm most days for >3 months in a year for >2 consecutive years.

Abbreviations: BD, bronchodilator; GOLD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.

Table S2

Adjusted association (OR 95% CI) between GOLD stage at baseline, deaths, lung function decline and exacerbations in the follow-up visit

	Unadjusted		Adjusted 1		Adjusted 2
	Deaths
	HR (95% CI)	P-value	HR (95% CI)	P-value	HR (95% CI)	P-value
NO asymptomatic	1.00 (reference)		1.00 (reference)		1.00 (reference)
NO/symptomatic	1.41 (0.98, 2.0)	0.06	1.35 (0.94, 1.95)	0.102	1.31 (0.89, 1.92)	0.16
GOLD 1 asymptomatic	3.71 (2.07, 6.67)	<0.001	1.64 (0.90, 2.97)	0.100	1.62 (0.89, 2.99)	0.116
GOLD 1 symptomatic	3.23 (2.11, 5.2)	<0.001	1.49 (0.94, 2.35)	0.088	1.38 (0.84, 2.27)	0.201
GOLD 2–4	5.6 (3.72, 8.48)	<0.001	2.95 (1.94, 4.50)	<0.001	2.09 (1.18, 3.68)	0.011
	FEV1 post-BD decline
	β (95% CI)	P-value	β (95% CI)	P-value	β (95% CI)	P-value
NO/symptomatic	−0.84 (−4.86, 3.18)	0.682	−3.66 (−7.8, 0.48)	0.08	−4.5 (−8.7, −0.40)	0.030
GOLD 1 asymptomatic	2.65 (−8.4, 13.7)	0.638	6.0 (−5.07, 17.15)	0.287	0.6 (−10.7, 11.9)	0.917
GOLD 1 symptomatic	−2.64 (−10.0, 4.7)	0.480	−2.9 (−10.46, 4.6)	0.444	−6.5 (−14.1, 1.1)	0.09
GOLD 2–4	4.2 (−4.0, 12.3)	0.318	4.4 (−3.8, 12.7)	0.288	−8.2 (−17.5, 1.13)	0.085
	2+ exacerbations in the year before second evaluation
	OR (95% CI)	P-value	OR (95% CI)	P-value	OR (95% CI)	P-value
NO/symptomatic	4.03 (1.8, 9.1)	0.001	2.84 (1.23, 6.5)	0.014	2.58 (1.11, 5.99)	0.026
GOLD 1 asymptomatic	–		–		–
GOLD 1 symptomatic	3.44 (1.1, 11.0)	0.037	3.39 (1.01, 11.3)	0.047	1.87 (0.52, 6.85)	0.340
GOLD 2–4	7.47 (2.65, 21.0)	<0.001	7.56 (2.56, 22.3)	0.004	1.50 (0.40, 5.6)	0.542

Notes: Symptoms = cough, phlegm, dyspnea Medical Research Council (MRC) >1 or wheezing in last year. 95% CI, 95% confidence interval; inconsistent, different result between the two examinations. The unadjusted model includes the restricted group (not shown). 1) adjusted by age, gender, BMI and education, comorbidities, restricted group and after the first line by smoking (pack-years and cigarettes/day). 2) adjusted model 1 + FEV1 (post-BD). “–” indicates 0 (nil).

Abbreviations: BD, bronchodilator; GOLD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease; NO, non-obstructive.

Table S3

Associations between the presence of symptoms and several risk factors

Risk factors for symptoms	Cough/phlegm	95% CI	CB cough/phlegm	95% CI	Cough/phlegm/dyspnea	95% CI	Cough/phlegm/dyspnea/wheezing	95% CI
Asthma	2.22*	1.77, 2.77	2.66*	2.03, 3.49	2.19*	1.69, 2.84	4.7*	3.5, 6.3
Wheezing last year	3.06*	2.55, 3.67	3.67*	2.86, 4.71	3.26*	2.66, 3.99	NA	NA
Current smoking	2.12*	1.76, 2.56	1.59*	1.22, 2.06	2.27*	1.87, 2.74	3.1*	2.6, 3.8
Heart disease	1.51*	1.21, 1.89	1.07	0.78, 1.46	2.08*	1.64, 2.64	2.16*	1.65, 2.82
Passive smoking	1.19	0.99, 1.41	1.11	0.86, 1.41	1.30*	1.09, 1.54	1.23*	1.01, 1.50
Work in a dusty or smoky place	1.19*	1.00, 1.41	1.27	0.99, 1.63	1.30	1.10, 1.54	1.46*	1.2, 1.7

Notes: Models were also adjusted by BMI, education, age and diabetes. Pseudo R2 was between 13.8% and 11.8%.

P<0.05. Asthma, heart disease and diabetes were previous physician diagnoses referred by individuals. CB cough/phlegm is cough or phlegm most days of 3 months for >2 consecutive years. Cough/phlegm is cough or phlegm in general even without colds. Wheezing is the report of wheezing in the last year. Dyspnea is score >1 in the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale.

Abbreviations: CB, chronic bronchitis; NA, not applicable.

Table S4

Predictors of incident COPD, GOLD stages 2–4

Category at baseline	Individuals with incident GOLD 2–4	%
Non-obstructed/asymptomatic	7/679	1.0
Non-obstructed/symptomatic	15/951	1.6
GOLD 1 asymptomatic	4/55	7.3
GOLD 1 symptomatic	21/139	15.1
Restricted	7/116	6.0
Total	54/2,051	2.6

Notes: Incident cases were those present in the second evaluation but not at baseline. Symptoms considered were cough or phlegm or dyspnea >1, or wheezing in the last year. Symptomatic groups, have more incidence of COPD GOLD stages 2–4. P<0.001 Fisher exact test.

Abbreviation: GOLD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.

Table S5

Predictors of incident GOLD 2–4

Characteristics at baseline	Model 1 OR	95% CI		P-value	Model 2 OR	95% CI		P-value
Symptoms (cough, phlegm, dyspnea or wheezing)	2.08	1.02	4.25	0.045	1.59	0.76	3.30	0.217
Years at school	0.91	0.86	0.97	0.006	0.96	0.90	1.02	0.192
BMI (kg/m2)	0.95	0.89	1.01	0.076	0.95	0.90	1.01	0.081
Asthma (Physician diagnosis)	2.91	1.54	5.50	0.001	2.06	1.07	3.98	0.032
Masculine gender	2.50	1.37	4.54	0.003	4.55	2.39	8.65	0.000
Current smoker	1.82	1.02	3.24	0.042	1.97	1.09	3.55	0.024
Dusty or smoky occupation	0.64	0.36	1.13	0.122
FEV1 post BD (L)					0.34	0.21	0.55	0.000
Constant	0.07	0.01	0.43	0.004	0.57	0.08	4.22	0.581
Pseudo R2	8.2%				11.9%

Notes:

Model 2 differs from Model 1 only in the inclusion of FEV1 post-BD at baseline. Best predictor of developing GOLD stage 2–4 COPD was previous FEV1. Adjusting by FEV1 the impact of symptoms is reduced and becomes non-significant. Masculine gender, smoking and asthma still predict incident GOLD 2–4 even adjusting by FEV1. Values shown in bold emphasize results that are statistically significant.

Abbreviations: BD, bronchodilator; GOLD, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.