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Women with asthma have high risk for COPD

More than 40% of women with asthma may develop COPD and those with a high BMI, history of cigarette smoking and lower educational attainment were more susceptible to the disease, according to findings published in Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

“Previous studies have found an alarming rise in [asthma and COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS)] in women in recent years and that the mortality rate from ACOS was higher in women than men,” Teresa To, PhD, from the University of Toronto, said in a press release. “We urgently need to identify and quantify risk factors associated with ACOS in women to improve their health and save lives.”

To and colleagues studied data from the Canadian National Breast Screening Study to determine how sociodemographic, lifestyle and environmental factors influence the development of ACOS among women with asthma (n = 4,051; mean age, 79 years). Participants were followed for an average of 14 years after being diagnosed with asthma.

The researchers found that 42% of women with asthma developed COPD. Women with low education, high BMI, unemployment and rural residence were more likely to develop ACOS. Since these factors are indicative of low socioeconomic status, they may lead to suboptimal access to care, undertreatment of asthma and poor compliance to medications and thus more frequent asthma exacerbations and an increase chance for ACOS, To and colleagues noted.

Additionally, smoking more than a pack of cigarettes a day for 5 years was a significant risk factor for ACOS. However, 38% of women who developed ACOS never smoked.

Exposure to fine particulate matter, a major air pollutant, was not associated with ACOS.

The researchers noted that most of the risk factors for ACOS that they identified are modifiable.

“The adverse impact of smoking and obesity on health may be even worse in those who are already living with asthma or COPD,” To said in the release. “Identifying modifiable risk factors in the progression from asthma to COPD is an essential first step in developing prevention strategies that lead to a healthy, active lifestyle.” – by Alaina Tedesco

Disclosure: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.