Abstract
Introduction: Worldwide data indicate that exposure to passive smoking as well as to occupational dusts and chemicals and indoor air pollution is associated with COPD development.
Aims and objectives: To identify the association between burning coal smoke exposure and COPD development in Greek urban and rural population.
Methods: The study was conducted in Greek rural and urban population in Thessaly, Greece, after an open invitation in residents over 65 years old. The study team visited the study participants and performed spirometry. Data regarding smoking status, respiratory symptoms, wood stoves and coal burning smoke exposure were recorded.
Results: Finally, 494 subjects (248 males – 246 females) were included in the study. Overall COPD prevalence was 41.2% being more prevalent in males. In females, COPD prevalence was 32.4%, although only 10.6% were current or ex-smokers. COPD diagnosis in the total population was associated with male sex (OR: 1.973, p=0.01), type of area of residence (OR: 1.458, p=0.009), smoking status (OR: 1.714, p=0.003), dyspnea (OR: 0.620, p=0.019) and exposure to wood stoves and coal burning smoke exposure (OR: 1.722, p=0.046). However, COPD diagnosis was associated with smoking status only in males (OR: 1.923, p=0.002), whereas with the type of area of residence (OR: 2.216, p=0.001) and wood stoves and coal burning smoke exposure (OR: 2.305, p=0.039) in females
Conclusion: Exposure to wood stoves and coal burning smoke was associated with COPD development especially in women of rural areas in Greece. Such type of exposure may explain the high prevalence of COPD in nonsmoking women.
- © 2011 ERS
