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. 2013 Dec 17;10(12):7257-71.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph10127257.

Prevalence of COPD and tobacco smoking in Tunisia--results from the BOLD study

Hager Daldoul, Meriam Denguezli  1 , Anamika Jithoo, Louisa Gnatiuc, Sonia Buist, Peter Burney, Zouhair Tabka, Imed Harrabi
Affiliations

Prevalence of COPD and tobacco smoking in Tunisia--results from the BOLD study

Hager Daldoul et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

In Tunisia, there is a paucity of population-based data on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) prevalence. To address this problem, we estimated the prevalence of COPD following the Burden of Lung Disease Initiative. We surveyed 807 adults aged 40+ years and have collected information on respiratory history and symptoms, risk factors for COPD and quality of life. Post-bronchodilator spirometry was performed and COPD and its stages were defined according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines. Six hundred and sixty one (661) subjects were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of GOLD Stage I and II or higher COPD were 7.8% and 4.2%, respectively (Lower Limit of Normal modified stage I and II or higher COPD prevalence were 5.3% and 3.8%, respectively). COPD was more common in subjects aged 70+ years and in those with a BMI < 20 kg/m2. Prevalence of stage I+ COPD was 2.3% in <10 pack years smoked and 16.1% in 20+ pack years smoked. Only 3.5% of participants reported doctor-diagnosed COPD. In this Tunisian population, the prevalence of COPD is higher than reported before and higher than self-reported doctor-diagnosed COPD. In subjects with COPD, age is a much more powerful predictor of lung function than smoking.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Response rate of questionnaire and spirometry.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Prevalence of COPD (GOLD stage I and II COPD) by gender and age groups.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Prevalence of GOLD Stage I and higher by pack years and sex.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Prevalence of GOLD Stage II by pack years and sex.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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