COPD and household air pollution more common at high altitude

What is it about?

We studied the relation between altitude and COPD prevalence, with a special focus on household air pollution. In rural high- and low altitude areas in Kyrgyzstan, we objectively measured both lung function and household air pollution concentrations. Even after correcting for other COPD risk factors (e.g. age, smoking), COPD was three times more common in the high altitude areas. Besides altitude, household air pollution showed to be a risk factor for developing COPD. The levels of pollution largely exceeded the limits as stated by the WHO air quality guidelines, which could be explained by our finding that the entire highland population relied on solid fuels for cooking and heating.

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Why is it important?

COPD is the world's third leading cause of death, and scarcely available resources for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment should be prioritised effectively in order to combat the disease. This study helps to understand where the burden of COPD is highest and which risk factors predict a higher burden of disease. Furthermore, this is the first study to compare COPD and household air pollution across altitudes with objective measurements (spirometry and particulate matter concentrations) and among the first to present data on lung function for a Central-Asian population.

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