Mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults aged 25 years or older in North Carolina

Recent reports highlight variation in the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mortality across the United States. This report describes COPD mortality in North Carolina (NC).

Data on COPD deaths were obtained from the National Vital Statistics System. COPD deaths were identified using International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 codes 490, 491, 492, and 496 for 1980-1998, and ICD-10 codes J40, J41, J42, J43, and J44 for 1999-2006. Death rates (per 100,000 population) were computed by dividing the number of COPD deaths by midyear population estimates, using the 2000 US standard population aged ≥ 25 years for direct age standardization.

During 2000-2006, COPD was the underlying cause of death for more than 25,000 persons aged ≥ 25 years in NC (12,478 women, 12,991 men). Death rates per 100,000 population increased with age, and age-adjusted mortality rates were greater among men (91.7; 95% confidence interval, 90.1-93.4) than women (56.2; 55.2-57.1), and among whites (75.0; 74.1-76.0) than blacks (42.5; 40.8-44.2). From 1980-2006, the COPD death rate among women increased from 12.9 to 59.1 per 100,000 population, while the rate for men increased from 72.9 to 83.7 per 100,000 population.

The findings in this report indicate an increased burden of COPD among persons aged ≥ 25 years in NC from 1980-2006, with differences in mortality patterns for men and women. Continued attention is needed to improve public recognition of COPD as a public health problem and to increase awareness of COPD symptoms. In addition, routine collection of state-based COPD prevalence data over time is needed to further understand the burden of COPD.