Prevalence and Clinic Characteristics of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Smoking or Non-smoking Patients with Chronic Bronchitis

Objective To observe the prevalence and clinical characteristics of COPD in non-smoking and smoking patients with chronic bronchitis. Methods A cross-section survey was carried out on 952 non-smokers and 1 143 smokers both with chronic bronchitis from 102 230 rural people in 1992.Results The prevalence of COPD for non-smokers was 37.7%,less than 43.1% for smokers (P=0.009).It increased with age more quickly in smkeres. After adjustment for age,sex and square of height,FVC,FEV 1 and FEV 1/FVC were significant inverse to years of cough in both groups.However,their rates of decline with age were significantly lower in non-smokers. Multiple Logistic analysis showed that COPD was significantly associated with age, sex,lower BMI(≤23 kg/m 2)and respiratory symptoms and signs.However,the effects of sex and age were greater in smokers while the effects of respiratory symptom and signs were greater in non-smokers.Conclusion Elder,male,smoking,more years with cough are significantly associated with COPD.Respiratory symptoms and signs might be helpful to distinguish the patients with COPD.