Factors associated with chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease among the elderly

Abstract

This study aimed to identify factors associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) among non-institutionalized elderly people. It involved a cross-sectional study conducted on the basis of a household survey, followed by spirometry. People diagnosed with COPD were compared with those with normal spirometry, through bivariate analysis, followed by multivariate regression analysis. We identified 53 elderly people were identified with COPD. After multivariate analysis, the following factors associated with COPD were identified: past or current smoking (OR: 3.74; 95% CI: 1.65-8.46), presence of chronic sputum (OR: 4.92; 95% CI: 2.03-11.95), pulse oximetry at rest ≤ 90% (OR: 8.74; 95%CI: 1.27-60.07), self-reported asthma (OR: 3.41; 95% CI: 1.01-11.57). The results reveal associated factors that highlight the need to review the selection criteria for patients at risk of COPD among the elderly.