J Korean Med Sci.  2023 Apr;38(14):e108. 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e108.

Recent Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Rapidly Aging Society: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2019

• Kim SH
• Lee H
• Kim Y
• Rhee CK
• Min KH
• Hwang YI
• Kim DK
• Park YB
• Yoo KH
• Moon JY

• KMID: 2541549
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e108

Abstract

Background
The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases with age, and aging is an important risk factor for COPD development. In the era of global aging, demographic information about the prevalence of and factors associated with COPD are important to establish COPD care plans. However, limited information is available in rapidly aging societies, including Korea.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional observational study using Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2015–2019. We included 15,613 participants and analyzed trends of and factors associated with COPD.
Results
During the study period, the overall prevalence of COPD was 12.9%. Over five years, the yearly prevalence of COPD was fairly constant, ranging from 11.5% to 13.6%. Among individuals aged ≥ 70 years, nearly one-third met COPD diagnostic criteria. In the multivariable analysis, age 70 years or older was the most strong factor associated with COPD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 17.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 14.16–22.52; compared with age 40–49), followed by asthma (aOR, 3.39; 95% CI, 2.44–4.71), male sex (aOR, 2.64; 95% CI, 2.18–3.19), and current smokers (aOR, 2.60; 95% CI, 2.08–3.25). Additionally, exsmokers, low income, decreased forced expiratory volume in 1 second %pred, and a history of pulmonary tuberculosis were associated with COPD. On the other hand, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m ² (aOR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.54–0.71; compared with BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m ² ) had an inverse association with COPD.
Conclusion
Recent trends in the prevalence of COPD in South Korea are relatively stable. Approximately one-third of participants aged 70 years and older had COPD. Aging was the most important factor associated with COPD.

Keyword

Pulmonary Disease; Chronic Obstructive; Spirometry; Prevalence; Demography; Risk Factors

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Flow chart of the study population.KNHANES = Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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  Fig. 2 The overall prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the past five years.COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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  Fig. 3 Trends in the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease between 2015 and 2019.COPD = chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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