Objective: The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of COPD using spirometry and examine related risk factors, such as exposure to cigarette and biomass smoke, in individuals over the age of 40, in the provincial capital of Kayseri, Turkey.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, factors related to the prevalence of COPD were examined in subjects ≥40 years. Patients with airway obstruction (FEV1/FVC <0.70) were administered salbutamol inhaled at a dose of 400 mcg, and the test was repeated 15 minutes later. Research completed with 386/400, 96.5% participants.
Results: The average age was 53.3±10.9 years. The prevalence of COPD in this study was 17.6%. COPD was found in 13.0% of the women and in 22.0% of the men. The most common stage was GOLD Stage II at 70.6%. The rate of active smokers was 32.6% (27.7% of women and 37.7% of men). After multiple regression analysis, the COPD “at risk” levels for the following groups were determined: individuals with BMI <25, 3.33 times higher, individuals having suffered childhood pneumonia, 2.75 times higher, participants aged 50 and over were 2.41 times higher, patients with an education level of high school or lower were 2.38 times higher, and active smokers were 2.0 times higher.
Conclusion: Increasing health awareness and healthy lifestyles, more efforts to raise the general education level of the community are needed, “at-risk” patients 40 years and over should be screened for COPD, and studies aimed at smoking cessation should be conducted.