Prevalence of asthma with airflow limitation, COPD, and COPD with variable airflow limitation in older subjects in a general Japanese population: The Hisayama Study

Abstract Background Elucidating the prevalence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is important for designing a public health strategy. Recent studies have discriminated a phenotype of COPD with variable airflow limitation (COPD-VAL) associated with asthma–COPD overlap syndrome. Its prevalence remains uncertain. The age and occupational distributions in the town of Hisayama and in Japan are nearly identical. Each disease׳s prevalence was estimated for the town׳s residents. Methods In 2008, town residents (≥40 years) were solicited to participate in a health checkup. Individuals with abnormal spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1s/forced vital capacity [FEV 1 /FVC] Results A total of 2100 residents (43.4% of residents in the age group) completed spirometry. In 455 residents with abnormal spirometry, 190 residents had further evaluations, and the medical records of 174 residents were reviewed. The prevalence of asthma with airflow limitation, COPD, and COPD-VAL, were 2.0%, 8.4%, and 0.9%, respectively. The prevalence of COPD and COPD-VAL were higher in men and smokers than in women and never-smokers. The prevalence of COPD, but not COPD-VAL or asthma, increased with age. Conclusion The prevalence of asthma with airflow limitation, COPD, and COPD-VAL were estimated in a population of residents (≥40 years) in Hisayama.