Chronic bronchitis: prevalence, smoking habits, impact, and antismoking advice

Although the prevalence of chronic bronchitis has been measured in several populations, its impact on quality of life has not been assessed. We report the prevalence and impact of chronic bronchitis (defined as having phlegm on most days for at least 3 months during the previous year) among 4,708 adults ages 20 to 69 representative of the nonaged U.S. population. Men reported chronic bronchitis more frequently than women (12 vs 8%); smokers, regardless of age and sex, reported chronic bronchitis more frequently than former or never smokers. Among both men and women 35 years of age or older, current smokers--as opposed to ex- or never smokers--with chronic bronchitis had the poorest forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1). The most commonly reported impact of chronic bronchitis was worry, followed by pain and restricted activity days, regardless of age, sex, or smoking habits. Of those current and ex-smokers who had seen a physician about their chronic bronchitis, 65% of men and 44% of women had decreased or stopped smoking. Among those current and ex-smokers with chronic bronchitis who did not consult a physician, the proportion of those who had decreased or stopped smoking was 29% for men and 37% for women. Finally, only 43% of male current smokers and 55% of female current smokers who had chronic bronchitis reported that a physician had advised them to decrease or stop smoking.