[Epidemiology of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Japan--international comparison]

Substantial variation among countries has been reported regarding mortality data for COPD in industrialized countries. Differences in COPD death rates among countries have attracted considerable attention, with multiple suggested hypothesis, including smoking behaviors, air pollution, respiratory infections and genetic factors. However, the lack of standardization of death certification as well as differences among countries in diagnostic standards of COPD, could limit the interpretation of the data. No meaningful international comparisons of COPD prevalence can be possible until a GOLD initiative bring information about COPD to public health officials, the medical community, and the public throughout the world. No comparable data regarding the COPD epidemiology such as Nippon COPD Epidemiology(NICE) study, has been available in other countries than Japan. NICE study indicated that most of COPD cases(90%) are undiagnosed, and a significant attention will be required to raise awareness of COPD.