Prevalence and determinants of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among a sample of adult smokers in Baghdad, Iraq, 2014

This cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and identify determinants of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among a convenience sample of 325 adult smokers in Baghdad, Iraq, 2014. Beside demographic variables, participants had Lung Function Questionnaire to assess respiratory symptoms; individuals with a score of <= 18 had a spirometry examination. Those with FEV1/FVC ratio <70% had post bronchodilator spirometry; those with FEV1/FVC% of <70% and <200 ml improvement of FEV1 were considered COPD cases. Staging of COPD is done according to the degree of FEV1 reduction. The prevalence of COPD was 15.1% (95% confidence interval 11.5-19.4%); 62.5% had moderate and 27.1% had severe COPD. Only 12.5% had a prior physician diagnosis. Age >55 (OR = 2.14, 95% confidence interval = 1.04-4.39), and pack year smoking >40 (OR = 5.37, 95% confidence interval = 1.70-16.91) were the significant independent determinants. All adult smokers should have a spirometry testing and counseled to stop smoking.