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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and U.S. Workers: Prevalence, Trends, and Attributable Cases Associated With
Girija Syamlal1, Brent Doney1, Scott Hendricks2
1Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|August 22, 2021
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prevalence rose among US workers from 2012-2018. Workplace exposures contribute significantly to COPD, with 27.3% of cases linked to work.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death in the U.S.
- Workplace exposures are significant, modifiable contributors to COPD burden.
- Approximately 19% of COPD cases in U.S. workers are attributable to occupational exposures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine trends in COPD prevalence among U.S. workers between 2012 and 2018.
- To assess the population attributable fraction (PAF) of COPD associated with work.
- To analyze COPD trends by smoking status, industry, and occupation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 2012-2018 National Health Interview Survey data for workers aged 18 years and older.
- Poisson regression model to examine annual trends in COPD prevalence.
- Multivariate logistic regression to calculate adjusted prevalence odds ratios (ORs).
Main Results:
- An estimated annual average of 4.1% of workers had COPD during 2012-2018, with prevalence varying by industry and occupation.
- Overall COPD prevalence increased by an average of 1.5% annually (p<0.05).
- Significant increases in COPD prevalence were observed in specific industries (e.g., wholesale nondurable, arts, entertainment, recreation) and occupations (e.g., financial specialists, food service supervisors, maintenance workers, personal care workers, administrative support supervisors, material moving workers).
- The proportion of COPD cases attributable to work was 27.3% overall and 24.0% among never-smokers.
Conclusions:
- Public health initiatives are needed to raise awareness of COPD associated with occupational risk factors.
- Targeted prevention strategies are crucial for workers in industries and occupations experiencing increasing COPD prevalence trends.
- Understanding and mitigating workplace exposures can help prevent COPD among the working population.
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