RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Heterogeneity in prevalence and underdiagnosis of COPD: Results from BOLD, EPI-SCAN, PLATINO, and PREPOCOL JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP P936 VO 42 IS Suppl 57 A1 Bernd Lamprecht A1 Michael Studnicka A1 Joan Soriano A1 Peter Burney A1 Louisa Gnatiuc A1 Sonia Buist A1 Bernhard Kaiser A1 Lowie Vanfleteren A1 Marc Miravitlles A1 Carlos Torres-Duque A1 Andres Caballero A1 Mauricio González-García A1 Ana Menezes A1 Rogelio Perez-Padilla A1 Maria Montes de Oca A1 Francisco García-Rio A1 Julio Ancochea YR 2013 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P936.abstract AB Background & ObjectiveWe evaluate heterogeneity in prevalence of COPD and factors associated with underdiagnosis using data from four general populations surveys: BOLD (Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease), EPI-SCAN (Epidemiologic Study of COPD in Spain), PLATINO (Proyecto Latinoamericano de Investigación en Obstrucción Pulmonar), and PREPOCOL (Prevalencia de EPOC en Colombia).MethodsRepresentative samples of adults aged ≥40 yrs were randomly selected from well-defined administrative areas at studied sites. Post-bronchodilator spirometry and face-to-face interviews were performed. Post-BD FEV1/FVC<LLN was used to define chronic airflow limitation consistent with COPD. Doctor-diagnosed COPD was self-reported. Underdiagnosed COPD was considered when participants had a FEV1/FVC<LLN and did not report previous diagnosis of COPD by a doctor or health professional.ResultsAmong 30,874 participants with a mean age of 56 yrs, 55.8% were female, and 22.9% were current smokers. Prevalence of reported doctor-diagnosed COPD ranged from 0.1% in Pune (India) to 22.4% in Lexington (US). 26.4% of all participants reported having-had a lung function test before, with a major rate of 97.6% in Norway and the lowest rate of 0.5% in Nigeria. Prevalence of COPD ranged from 3.6% in Baranquilla (Colombia) to 19.0% in Cape-Town (SA). 81.4% were undiagnosed with the highest rate in Ile-Ife, Nigeria (98.3%) and the lowest rate in Lexington, US (50.0%). Male gender, lower age, current smoking, and less severe airflow limitation were associated with underdiagnosis.ConclusionThere is substantial heterogeneity in prevalence and underdiagnosis of COPD worldwide. The majority of COPD cases remain undetected.