COPD in Non-Smokers in South Asia: An Under Estimated and Unrecognized Condition

Abstract

COPD is an acronym used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Globally, it is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality3. It is among the significant causes of death in the developing countries of the world too3. A major established causal risk factor for COPD is tobacco smoking1,2. Worldwide, COPD has also been reported in non-smokers; its early evidence was documented in 1958 in the literature2. According to the latest global figures, around 30% of all COPD cases occur in people whom never smoked4. In lower and middle-income countries, it is reported that about 35% of non-smokers are mainly due to long-term exposure to indoor smoke3. The documented risk factors in non-smokers are exposure to air pollution (both indoor and outdoor), exposure to dust and fumes (mainly occupational), and recurrent lower respiratory tract infections during childhood, pulmonary tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, asthma, intrauterine growth retardation, malnutrition and poverty2.

Keywords

• copd non-smokers south asia: estimated unrecognized