Objective: To investigate the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its current status of diagnosis and management in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China.
Methods: Using multi-stage cluster random sampling, all residents 40 years of age or older in Dawukou, Yinchuan, Wuzhong, and Jingyuan were randomly selected and interviewed with a standardized questionnaire. Spirometry was performed in all eligible participants and COPD diagnosis was made according to the spirometric criteria. The categorical variables were described by the constituent ratio or prevalence and compared by χ(2) test.
Results: Among 4626 sampling subjects, 4055 participants completed the questionnaire and spirometry. The mean age was (56 ± 12) years. The overall prevalence of COPD was 8.9% (360/4055). The prevalence was significantly higher in males [13.0% (243/1869)] than in females [5.4% (117/2186)]. The prevalence of COPD was significantly higher in residents of Han nationality, rural residents and smokers (χ(2) = 4.10 - 94.65, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in COPD prevalence among different regions of Ningxia; 8.7% (76/878), 8.1% (93/1142), 8.8% (90/1019) and 9.0% (101/1016) in Dawukou, Yinchuan, Wuzhong, and Jingyuan (χ(2) = 2.12, P > 0.05), respectively. Only 23.6% (85/360) of the COPD cases was diagnosed and only 23.3% (84/360) was treated. By lung function measurements, gradeII COPD accounted for 64.2% (231/360) of the cases.
Conclusions: The prevalence of COPD in Ningxia was 8.9% (360/4055) in people 40 years of age or older. The current status of diagnosis and management of COPD in this region was far from satisfactory. It was necessary to strengthen the awareness of the importance of pulmonary function tests and early intervention of COPD.