A nationwide survey of public COPD knowledge and awareness in Saudi Arabia: A population-based survey of 15,000 adults

Global, regional, and national burden of young COPD, 1990-2021, with forecasts to 2050: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2021

BACKGROUND

Young chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to people with COPD between the ages of 20 and 50 years. Current epidemiological studies focus on local geography, and there is a lack of global-level analysis. This study provides in-depth analyses of the disease burden of young COPD at global, regional, and national levels.

METHODS

This study used the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD). The age-standardised prevalence rate (ASPR), age-standardised incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardised death rate (ASDR), and age-standardised disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rate were used to describe the disease burden. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) during the study period was calculated. Joinpoint regression analysis examined the time trend from 1990 to 2021. Annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) were calculated. Risk factors were reported by region and sex.

RESULTS

In 2021, the global number of young COPD cases was 30,384,539, and the ASPR, ASIR, ASDR, and age-standardised DALYs rates fell slightly. Oceania reported the highest ASPR, ASDR, and age-standardised DALYs rate. High-income North America has the highest ASIR. In 2021, the prevalence, incidence, death, and DALYs rates exhibited similar trends, increasing with age. From 1990 to 2021, both the prevalence and death rates showed a consistent downward trend across all age groups. Joinpoint regression analysis indicated a slight increase in both the ASPR (APC: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.19) and the ASIR (APC: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.24) during the period from 1990 to 1994. The leading DALYs attributable to risk factors for young COPD are household air pollution from solid fuels (20.4%), ambient particulate matter pollution (17.9%), and smoking (13.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

The global burden of ASPR, ASIR, ASDR, and age-standardised DALYs rates in young COPD has decreased, however, the absolute number of patients has increased. The global burden shows noticeable regional differences, with particularly high burdens observed in Oceania. Improving air quality, promoting smoking cessation, and increasing access to lung function tests, raising awareness of young COPD are key strategies for alleviating the burden of young COPD.

Comparative analysis between PUMA and CAPTURE questionnaires for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) screening in smokers

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents a significant global challenge, impacting health systems, economies, and societies. Its prevalence is anticipated to rise owing to an aging demographic. Although the PUMA and CAPTURE questionnaires are available for COPD screening, their comparative effectiveness has not been studied in Indonesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the PUMA and CAPTURE questionnaires as screening tools for COPD among smokers. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital and H. Adam Malik General Hospital, Medan, Indonesia, from December 2022 to February 2023. Smokers aged over 40 or above with a history of smoking more than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and no previous COPD diagnosis were included in the study. To collect the responses to PUMA and CAPTURE questionnaire, face-to-face interviews were conducted, followed by a spirometry test. A total of 76 smokers were included in the study; the predominant age group was 51-60 years (36.8%), with the majority being male (81.6%). Most participants began smoking at ages 15-20 years (65.8%) and had been smoking for 20-30 years (36.8%) at a moderate intensity (44.8%). Spirometry tests indicated obstructive patterns in 50 participants, with 17 classified as severe obstruction. At a cut-off score of ≥6, the PUMA questionnaire yielded a sensitivity of 72.55% and a specificity of 84%. In contrast, the CAPTURE questionnaire, with a cut-off score of ≥4, exhibited a sensitivity of 70.83% and a specificity of 64.29%. These results imply that the PUMA questionnaire could be more efficient in COPD screening compared to the CAPTURE questionnaire.

A population-based study of 15,000 people on Knowledge and awareness of lung cancer symptoms and risk factors in Saudi Arabia

Background

Lung cancer is currently the most fatal form of cancer worldwide, ranking as the fourth most prevalent type in Saudi Arabia, particularly among males. This trend is expected to increase with growing population, lifestyle changes, and aging population. Understanding the awareness of the Saudi population regarding the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer is necessary to attenuate the predicted increase in cases.

Method

A cross-sectional, population-based survey was performed using a previously validated questionnaire (Lung CAM). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess variables associated with deficiency in knowledge and awareness of risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer.

Results

Majority of the 15,099 respondents were male (65%), aged between 18 and 30 years (53%), 50% of which were educated up to a bachelor's degree level. Overall awareness of lung cancer signs and symptoms was 53%, with painful cough and coughing up blood being the best-known symptoms. Conversely, persistent shoulder pain (44%) and clubbing fingers (47%) were the least known lung cancer symptoms. Also, 60% of the respondents showed low confidence in identifying the signs and symptoms of lung cancer. The overall awareness of the risk factors for lung cancer development was 74%, with first-hand (74%) and second-hand (68%) smoking being the most known risk factors. However, only ≤ 62% know the other non-smoking risk factors. Awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer depended on age, gender, education, marital and employment status (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Public awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer in Saudi Arabia is inadequate and heavily dependent on education and socio-economic status. Awareness can be improved through campaigns to raise awareness about other lesser-known lung cancer risk factors and symptoms.

Obesity Prevalence and Association with Spirometry Profiles, ICU Admission, and Comorbidities Among Patients with COPD: Retrospective Study in Two Tertiary Centres in Saudi Arabia

Background

Obesity is common among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and is associated with an increase in acute exacerbation episodes. However, data on obesity's impact on and association with clinical outcomes among patients with COPD are limited. This study aimed to determine overweight and obesity prevalence and associations with spirometry profiles, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and comorbidities in patients with COPD.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed the electronic health records of adult individuals diagnosed with COPD who visited the studied pulmonary clinics between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2022 and then collected key demographic variables and relevant clinical outcomes and comorbidities.

Results

A total of 474 patients with COPD were included in the final analysis, of whom 60% were male. The occurrences of overweight and obesity were 32.7% and 38.2%, respectively. The presence of comorbidities was high in obese patients (78.4%), followed by overweight patients (63.8%) with COPD. Obese and overweight patients had the highest ward admission rates (38.3% and 34.2%, respectively). ICU admissions were higher in obese and overweight patients (16% and 12%, respectively) compared with normal-weight patients (9%). Although no significant correlation was found between body mass index and spirometry parameters, comorbidities and ICU admission were linked to overweight and obesity in COPD patients (AOR: 1.82 95% CI: 1.15 to 2.86 and AOR: 3.34 95% CI 1.35 to 8.22, respectively).

Conclusion

Our findings imply that obesity in COPD is prevalent and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes including a greater number of comorbidities and higher rates of hospitalization and admission to ICUs although no associations were found between body weight and spirometry parameters. Further studies are needed to assess whether implementing and optimising obesity screening and management at an early stage in COPD can prevent further deterioration.