Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Zonguldak province of Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is increasingly recognized as a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. This study is the first spirometry-based, cross-sectional survey of COPD from Western Black Sea Region of Turkey. In this study we aimed to investigate COPD prevalence in Zonguldak province of Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult population of 71.630 persons living in central Zonguldak were enrolled to the study. They were selected by random sampling methods based on regional inhabitant listings. 611 adult persons were finally enrolled to the study. They were interviewed face to face, and were given a questionnaire. Spirometry and early reversibility testing were also performed. Results were evaluated according to Global Obstrucive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria. RESULTS: 42.6% of the study population were males. Mean age was 49.2 ± 15.4. The number of inividuals 40 years and older was 447 (73.1%). COPD prevalence was found as 11.1% in the study population and 14.1% in the population 40 years and older. COPD prevalence in males and females 40 years and older were 19.6% and 9.8% respectively. Mean age of the COPD patients (60.06 ± 13.2 years) was higher than the subjects without COPD (47.8 ± 15.1) (p< 0.001). COPD prevalence was increasing with age categories. COPD severity based on GOLD criteria were as follows: Stage 1 (23.5%), Stage 2 (58.8%), Stage 3 (16.2%) and Stage 4 (1.5%). Prevalence of smoking history was 95.3% in male COPD patients, and 56% in female COPD patients. Smoking was the most common risk factor present in 80.9% of COPD cases, followed by biomass exposure (63.2%), occupational exposure (41.2%) and passive smoking (7.3%). Smoking history and occupational exposure were higher statistically in males than females in both study populatian and COPD cases. CONCLUSION: COPD is prevalent and an important public health problem in central Zonguldak province.