Risk Profile of Young Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk profiles have been described in populations consisting of or including older adults, leaving factors associated with COPD in younger adults overlooked.

To determine patient profiles of younger adults with COPD.

A cohort study was conducted using population-based survey data linked to health administrative data from Ontario, Canada, from 2007 to 2018. Younger adults (age 35-55 yr) newly diagnosed with COPD were matched to controls without COPD. Multivariable conditional logistic regression models were used to identify statistically significant predictors of COPD. To contextualize results, the analysis was repeated in older adults.

There were 1,094 younger adults newly diagnosed with COPD. In adjusted analysis, previous influenza or pneumonia, higher level of comorbidity, a mental health condition, and a history of asthma independently predicted COPD diagnosis in younger adults. With the exception of mental health conditions, these same variables predicted COPD diagnosis in older adults. However, male sex, lower income, a history of respiratory disease other than asthma, and being overweight or underweight predicted COPD diagnosis in older but not in younger adults.

Having a mental health condition was associated with COPD in younger adults, whereas male sex, lower income, a history of respiratory disease other than asthma, and being overweight or underweight did not. This new knowledge can be used to dispel stereotypes about COPD. They also suggest that different screening criteria should be considered for younger adults.