Prevalence of COPD in women in Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria

Abstract

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently recognized as a major public health problem. COPD has long been considered a smoker's men pathology, but the number of women with COPD is constantly increasing and its prevalence varies considerably between nations. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of spirometrically confirmed COPD among women.

Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study in general population in search of the prevalence and risk factors of COPD among women aged 40 and over according to the GOLD criteria (FEV1/FVC ratio<0,7) and the lower limit of normal (LLN). We collected questionnary data on medical history, respiratory symptoms and exposure to risk factors of COPD.

Results: Our study targeted 418 women. 73% performed acceptable post-bronchodilator spirometry that met the ERS/ATS criteria. 91.3% of the 323 spirometric examinations performed were normal. 28.6% of the abnormal spirometers were obstructive airways disorders, The estimate of the prevalence of COPD recovered to 2.2% before BD according to the GOLD criterion and 1.2% according to the 2012 LIN-GLI but did not find a difference after BD in 1.5% (IC à 95% [1,48-1,51]). The severity of bronchial obstruction according to the GOLD classification was: 60% in stage 2 and 20% for both stage 1 and stage 3. In the analysis of risk factors, the prevalence of active smoking was 1.2% and none had COPD, while passive smoking was found in 50.8% of which 2.4% had COPD. However, there was a statistically significant relationship with age, asthma-COPD Overlap (ACO) and tuberculosis (p=10-3).

Conclusion: The COPD among women in Tizi-Ouzou is under-diagnosed. It is caused by pathologies with evolution and natural history modifiable.