Prevalence, awareness, characteristics, and health outcomes associated with COPD at-risk status among adults in Japan

Abstract

Objectives: We examined the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnosed and at-risk status, and public awareness of COPD among adults in Japan, as well as respondent characteristics and health outcomes compared with controls. Methods: Regression models used 2012 National Health and Wellness Survey in Japan data to compare COPD-diagnosed, at-risk, and healthy adults (aged ≥18) on demographics, health behaviors, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), productivity and healthcare resource use. Results: Among n = 29,978 respondents, diagnosed COPD prevalence was 0.9%; 26.9% were at-risk. Relative to controls, those at-risk and diagnosed with COPD had significantly greater healthcare resource use, with lower productivity and HRQoL. Fewer than 20% of respondents were aware of COPD. Conclusions: Over 25% of adult Japanese respondents were at-risk for COPD and had health outcomes impairments relative to controls. Efforts to increase awareness among the general public are needed.

KEYWORDS:

• At-risk status
• awareness
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• health-related quality of life
• Japan
• prevalence
• productivity loss
• resource use

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of Martine Maculaitis, an independent research consultant, for literature review and editing on behalf of Kantar Health.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) provided funding for this study. H Omori has received lecture fees from GSK. D Yoshimoto is an employee of GSK. A Goren is an employee of Kantar Health, which received funding from GSK for conducting and reporting on this study. M Kumar was an employee of Kantar Health at the time of this study. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.