Prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Chronic Bronchitis Among Predominantly Smoking Workers in the Seafood Industry in Greenland

Introduction: For decades, the prevalence of smoking has been high in Greenland. Even so, the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a smoking-related disease, remains largely unexplored. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of COPD and chronic bronchitis...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Main Authors: Frederiksen, Anja Lærke, Laustsen, Birgitte Hamann, Bælum, Jesper, Pedersen, Michael Lynge, Bønløkke, Jakob Hjort
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2022
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Bronchitis
Chronic/diagnosis
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Greenland/epidemiology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Prevalence
Pulmonary Disease
Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis
Seafood/adverse effects
Smoking/adverse effects
Spirometry
Young Adult
Greenland
greenlander*
greenlandic
inuit
Online Access:https://portal.findresearcher.sdu.dk/da/publications/f2b3b56e-1110-4931-a7bd-c71f6e2d0210
https://doi.org/10.2147/COPD.S349106
https://findresearcher.sdu.dk/ws/files/204075354/COPD_349106_prevalence_of_chronic_obstructive_pulmonary_disease_and_chro.pdf
Description
Summary:Introduction: For decades, the prevalence of smoking has been high in Greenland. Even so, the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a smoking-related disease, remains largely unexplored. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence of COPD and chronic bronchitis (CB) among Inuit workers in the seafood industry in Greenland. Methods: A total of 355 participants, 254 males and 101 females, met the inclusion criteria. Participants had a mean age of 38 years (standard deviation 13.5; range 17-68 years). COPD was diagnosed based on post-bronchodilator ratio between forced expiratory volume within one second and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) below the lower limit of normal (LLN) according to the Global Lung Function Initiative. Participants completed a questionnaire aiming to diagnose CB. Results: The overall prevalence was 9.9% for COPD; 7.4% for CB. Participants were predominantly smokers; 73.2% active smokers, 91.8% active or former smokers. The prevalence of COPD was high, especially among those under 40 years of age. Both COPD and CB were associated with smoking status. Discussion: This study among Greenlandic seafood workers found that smoking was a risk factor for COPD and CB among Greenlanders of Inuit origin. The high prevalence of COPD and the high prevalence of smoking underlines the importance of further initiatives to reduce smoking in Greenland.

Similar Items