COPD Unveiled: Insights from Dwellers along a Busy Highway in Kattankulathur Block.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious lung condition that imposes a significant financial burden on individuals and society, straining the medical system. According to the World Health Organization, it was the third leading cause of death worldwide in 2020. In India, it ranks as the second leading cause of death, and in Tamil Nadu, it is the tenth. The Global Burden of Disease study in 2018 found that COPD accounted for 50% of all cases and 69% of disability. Outdoor air pollution plays a major role in India's burden of chronic respiratory diseases. Early diagnosis and intervention can help to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications, and reduce morbidity and mortality, ultimately improving quality of life.

Objectives: (1) To estimate the prevalence of COPD among the study population (2) To assess the risk factors associated with COPD among the study population.

Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adults along the roadside dwelling of a National Highway. Using a multi-stage random sampling technique 403 elderly was selected. Participants were interviewed by a pre-tested structured questionnaire followed by spirometry (pulmonary function test) evaluation. Data entry was performed in an Excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS. The odds ratio and Chi-square test were performed to determine the association between qualitative variables.

Results: Among 403 study population 58% were male and 42% were female. The prevalence of COPD was found to be 22%, it was 11.1% among males and 10.9% among females. It is evident that individuals, who had exposure to risk factors such as cigarette smoking 78%, overcrowding 35.8%, lack of cross ventilation 10.9%, and living near a highway within 50 m of distance 36.2% are at more risk for developing COPD.

Conclusion: Study revealed that people living in closer proximity with roadways increases the risk of COPD.