The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- adjusted for age -- varies considerably among the U.S. states, researchers say. Nicole Kosacz, an epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and one of the lead analysts, used data from last year\'s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey and found less than 4 percent of the population in Washington and Minnesota had COPD, while more than 9 percent in Alabama and Kentucky had the disease. \"COPD is a public health burden and a leading cause of death. It is a health condition that needs to be urgently addressed, particularly on a local level,\" Kosacz said in a statement. \"This first-ever state-level analysis and breakdown is a critical source of information that will allow states to focus their resources where they will have maximum impact.\" Surveys in 21 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico asked additional questions related to diagnosis and quality of life of those reporting COPD. These results found: -- 71.4 percent of those reporting COPD were diagnosed via spirometry, a simple test to assess breathing. -- 62.5 percent felt that symptoms adversely affected their quality of life. -- 50.9 percent were taking at least one daily medication to manage their COPD, with rates of medication usage increasing with age. Prevalence decreased as income increased from 9.9 percent among those making less than $25,000 a year to 2.8 percent among those making more than $75,000, 36.4 percent of those reporting COPD were former smokers and women were more likely to report COPD than men -- 6.7 percent versus 5.2 percent.
GMT 14:01 2018 Thursday ,30 August
Expat with rare heart disorder gets life-saving surgeryGMT 00:18 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Boy with 10-pound tumour on face diesGMT 21:23 2018 Monday ,22 January
All set for first global medical tourism conference in DubaiGMT 22:46 2018 Sunday ,21 January
Second face transplant for FrenchmanGMT 07:51 2018 Saturday ,20 January
Trio aquitted of negligence in Canada railway disasterGMT 10:57 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Breastfeeding for 6 months cuts diabetes risk in half: studyGMT 16:10 2018 Wednesday ,17 January
Child mummy in Italy had hepatitis, not smallpoxGMT 18:36 2018 Tuesday ,16 January
Greece strikes cause transport chaos, healthcare delays

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor