Epidemiological evidence relating risk factors to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the most common chronic respiratory disease worldwide, not only leads to the decline of pulmonary function and quality of life consecutively, but also has become a major economic burden on individuals, families, and society in China. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to explore the risk factors for developing COPD in the Chinese population that resides in China and to provide a theoretical basis for the early prevention of COPD. Methods A total of 2457 cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies published related to risk factors for COPD in China were searched. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 articles were selected. Stata 11.0 was used for meta-analysis. After merging the data, the pooled effect and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association between risk factors and COPD. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using I-2 and Cochran's Q tests. Begg's test was used to assess publication bias. Results Exposure to particulate matter less than 2.5 mu m in diameter (PM2.5) (pooled effect = 1.73; 95%CI: 1.16 similar to 2.58; P < 0.01), smoking history (pooled effect = 2.58; 95%CI: 2.00 similar to 3.32; P < 0.01), passive smoking history (pooled effect = 1.39; 95%CI: 1.03 similar to 1.87; P = 0.03), male sex(pooled effect = 1.70; 95%CI: 1.31 similar to 2.22; P < 0.01), body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m(2) (pooled effect = 1.73; 95%CI: 1.32 similar to 2.25; P < 0.01), exposure to biomass burning emissions (pooled effect = 1.65; 95%CI: 1.32 similar to 2.06; P < 0.01), childhood respiratory infections (pooled effect = 3.44; 95%CI: 1.33 similar to 8.90; P = 0.01), residence (pooled effect = 1.24; 95%CI: 1.09 similar to 1.42; P < 0.01), and a family history of respiratory diseases (pooled effect = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.53 similar to 2.71; P < 0.01) were risk factors for COPD in the Chinese population. Conclusion Early prevention of COPD could be accomplished by quitting smoking, reducing exposure to air pollutants and biomass burning emissions, maintaining body mass index between 18.5 kg/m(2) and 28 kg/m(2), protecting children from respiratory infections, adopting active treatments to children with respiratory diseases, and conducting regular screening for those with family history of respiratory diseases.

Automated summary

This study identified that exposure to PM2.5, smoking history, passive smoking history, male sex, BMI < 18.5 kg/m(2), exposure to biomass burning emissions, childhood respiratory infections, residence, and a family history of respiratory diseases were risk factors for COPD in the Chinese population. Early prevention of COPD could be achieved by addressing these factors.