Prevalence and Population-Attributable Risk for Chronic Airflow Obstruction in a Large Multinational Study.

The Global Burden of Disease program identified smoking and ambient and household air pollution as the main drivers of death and disability from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To estimate the attributable risk of chronic airflow obstruction (CAO), a quantifiable characteristic of COPD, due to several risk factors. The Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease study is a cross-sectional study of adults, aged ≥40, in a globally distributed sample of 41 urban and rural sites.

Respiratory tract deposition of inhaled roadside ultrafine refractory particles in a polluted megacity of South-East Asia.

Recent studies demonstrate that Black Carbon (BC) pollution in economically developing megacities remain higher than the values, which the World Health Organization considers to be safe. Despite the scientific evidence of the degrees of BC exposure, there is still a lack of understanding on how the severe levels of BC pollution affect human health in these regions. We consider information on the respiratory tract deposition dose (DD) of BC to be essential in understanding the link between personal exposure to air pollutants and corresponding health effects.

Identification of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease subgroups in 13 Asian cities.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous condition that can differ in its clinical manifestation, structural changes and response to treatment.

Objective: To identify subgroups of COPD with distinct phenotypes, evaluate the distribution of phenotypes in four related regions and calculate the 1-year change in lung function and quality of life according to subgroup.

Methods: Using clinical characteristics, we performed factor analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis in a cohort of 1676 COPD patients from 13 Asian cities.

Gaps in using bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids and influenza vaccine among 23 high- and low-income sites.

Background: Increasing access to essential respiratory medicines and influenza vaccination has been a priority for over three decades. Their use remains low in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where little is known about factors influencing use, or about the use of influenza vaccination for preventing respiratory exacerbations.

Methods: We estimated rates of regular use of bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids and influenza vaccine, and predictors for use among 19 000 adults in 23 high-income countries (HICs) and LMIC sites.