Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease case finding in Mexico in an at-risk population

To apply a case-finding strategy in Mexico to identify chronic airway obstruction among individuals with risk factors and/or symptoms compatible with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Individuals aged ≥ 40 years with known risk factors and/or symptoms compatible with COPD were referred for an interview and spirometry.

Of 2293 subjects included, 472 (20.6%) had a post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity ratio of <70% (for Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease [GOLD] Stages II-IV, prevalence was 17.1%). Those with airflow obstruction had smoked more cigarettes for more years than subjects without (19 vs. 13 cigarettes/day, P < 0.001, and 32 vs. 23 years, P < 0.001); they also had a more frequent history of exposure to biomass smoke (23.3% vs. 18.3%, P = 0.002). Females were exposed to biomass smoke for more years (24 vs. 19 years; P < 0.0001) and more hours per day than males (6.2 vs. 5.1; P < 0.001). In multiple logistic regression analysis, increasing age, male sex, ever smoking, pack-years of smoking and years of exposure to biomass smoke were significantly associated with COPD prevalence.

Airflow obstruction was identified in one in five of Mexican individuals with risk factors and/or COPD symptoms. Exposure to biomass smoke was significantly associated with the presence of airflow obstruction.