Prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Kocaeli: An Industrialised City in Turkey

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important cause of mortality worldwide. Aims: The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in residents who were >= 40 years old and living in a heavily industrialised city of Turkey, Kocaeli, using the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease Initiative questionnaire. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: 1035 residents >= 40 years old and living in Kocaeli were surveyed. Spirometry and the basic BOLD questionnaire was performed. Results: 946 subjects entered into the analysis. The prevalence of stage I or higher COPD was 13.3% (8.7% for women and 16.5% for men), the prevalence of COPD at GOLD stage II or higher was 7.1% (4.1% for women and 9.2% for men). We also noted a high prevalence of COPD in never-smokers. Conclusion: Besides cigarette smoking, occupational exposure to fumes, chemicals and dusts might have also contributed to the high prevalence of COPD noted in residents who were >= 40 years old and living in Kocaeli, Turkey.