Burden of COPD in Nepal

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major global health issue and the second leading cause of death worldwide.
• This study quantifies the health burden of COPD in Nepal using the 2016 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) dataset.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the morbidity and mortality trends of COPD in Nepal from 1990 to 2016.
• To analyze the age-standardized incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributed to COPD by sex.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2016 study data for Nepal.
• Employed predictive covariates for COPD morbidity and mortality estimations due to limited primary data.
• Calculated Years of Life Lost (YLLs) using Cause of Death Ensemble modeling and Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) based on prevalence and disability weights.

Main Results:

• Age-standardized COPD mortality rates decreased for both sexes between 1990 and 2016, with a more pronounced decline in males.
• While males had a higher incidence rate, females exhibited higher age-standardized DALYs (2,274.9 per 100,000).
• Years of Life Lost (YLLs) constituted approximately 80% of DALYs in 2016, with higher age-standardized YLL rates observed in females.

Conclusions:

• COPD prevalence and incidence remained high and relatively stable in Nepal.
• Despite higher incidence in males, COPD's death rate and DALYs were more significant among females.
• Urgent, comprehensive strategies addressing risk factors, early detection, and management are crucial to mitigate the escalating COPD burden in Nepal.