Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026
Author Spotlight: Efficacy of Auricular Pressure Bean Therapy in Reducing Wheezing Symptoms
Published on: May 10, 2024
[Prevalence and characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in non-smokers]
Josep Montserrat-Capdevila1, Pere Godoy2, Josep Ramon Marsal3
1Consultorio Local de Bellvís, ABS Pla d'Urgell, Atención Primaria, Institut Català de la Salut, Bellvís, Lleida, España; Institut de Recerca Biomèdica (IRB) de Lleida, Lleida, España; Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya, Departament de Salut, Lleida, España; Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, España.
Objective:
The objective of the study was to know the profile of patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and who have never been smokers.
Design:
A transversal study.
Location:
Primary Care Centre of Pla d'Urgell (Primary care setting in Lleida, Spain).
Participants:
512 patients older than 40 years with COPD from Primary Care Centre of Pla d'Urgell with a compatible spirometry [forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio <0.7) to the beginning of the study.
Main Measurements:
The dependent variable was de COPD in non-smokers and the independents were variables collected from the information on the respiratory clinical history, the risk factors of the patients and on quality of life. We designed a predictor model of COPD in non-smokers compared to smokers.
Results:
33.2% of COPD patients had never been smokers, 59.4% of whom were women. The average FEV1 for non-smokers was 70.5 (SD=17.1), higher than 62.6 (SD=18.5) for smokers/former smokers (p<0.001). The coverage of pneumococcal vaccination 23V was better in non-smokers (75.3%), p<0.001. COPD in non-smokers (compared to smokers/former smokers) were: mostly women (OR=16.46), older (OR=1.1), with better FEV1 (OR=1.1), better perception of quality, EuroQoL-5D (OR=0.8), with lower prevalence of diabetes (OR=0.5), lower level of studies (OR=0.2), and with fewer previous hospitalizations (OR=0.3).
Conclusions:
The study evidences a high proportion of non-smokers in COPD patients. Our study aims that older women with less severity would be associated with an increased risk of COPD in non-smokers. It seems to indicate that COPD in non-smokers would appear at later ages and would be milder than smoking-related COPD.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
01:29Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation
01:30Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Nursing Management
Assessment
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD: