Recent trends in COPD prevalence in Italy

Aim: To compare prevalence rates and risk factors associated with COPD in an Italian population sample surveyed 20 years apart. Methods: The family cluster random sample living in Central Italy (Pisa) was enrolled in 1991-93 (n=2529, age range 20-97 yrs, males 44.4%); the survivors, with the inclusion of new family members, were studied again in 2009-10, within the framework of the European Union funded project IMCA2 (Indicators for Monitoring COPD and Asthma in EU) (n=1341, age range 20-103 yrs, male 46.5%). Lifestyle, health status and chronic respiratory diseases information were collected by questionnaire. Spirometry was also used. A Logistic Regression analysis was ran to assess the association between COPD diagnosis and risk factors.