Prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the Canary Islands

IntroductionThe prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) varies significantly among the different geographical areas reported. In Spain, two epidemiological studies have shown a prevalence of 9–10% in the population aged over 40. However, neither of these studies included the Canary Islands, which are of interest due to their climatic conditions and high incidence of smoking.Materials and methodsA random group of 1353 subjects aged between 40 and 70 years was selected from a sample population of 596 478 individuals. Participants completed a questionnaire and then performed spirometry with bronchodilator testing if obstruction was observed. COPD was diagnosed when the post-bronchodilator FEV₁/FVC ratio was less than 0.70.ResultsThe prevalence of COPD was 7.3% (95%CI: 5.5–9.5) and was higher in males than in females (8.7% vs 6.3%, P=.134). The incidence of smoking was 29.4% (95%CI: 25.4–33.1) and was also higher in males than in females (35.1% vs 25.4%, P<.001). The prevalence of COPD stratified by severity of obstruction, according to the GOLD criteria, was 16% in group I, 69.9% in group II, 10.4% in group III and 3.3% in group IV. 71.6% of the subjects were underdiagnosed and 63.5% undertreated.ConclusionsDespite having one of the highest rates of smoking in Spain, the prevalence of COPD in the Canary Islands is lower than in most of the Spanish regions studied.