Low Body Mass Index Is Associated with Higher Odds of COPD and Lower Lung Function in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

The relationship of body mass index (BMI) with lung function and COPD has been previously described in several high-income settings. However, few studies have examined this relationship in resource-limited settings where being underweight is more common. We evaluated the association between BMI and lung function outcomes across 14 diverse low- and middle-income countries.

Association between Household Air Pollution Exposure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Outcomes in 13 Low- and Middle-Income Country Settings.

Rationale: Forty percent of households worldwide burn biomass fuels for energy, which may be the most important contributor to household air pollution.

Objectives: To examine the association between household air pollution exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) outcomes in 13 resource-poor settings.

Methods: We analyzed data from 12,396 adult participants living in 13 resource-poor, population-based settings.