Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Prevalence of COPD is high globally with large numbers of undiagnosed individuals. This study assessed health outcomes by COPD diagnosis and risk status among adults in five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain + UK).
METHODS: Data were used from EU 2024 National Health and Wellness Survey (cross-sectional, nationally representative general population survey of adults age ≥18 years). Diagnosed COPD included: COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. Could It Be COPD scale (at risk: score≥3; not at risk: score < 3) assessed risk among adults without COPD. Patient reported outcomes included the RAND-36 Physical Health Composite (PHC) and Mental Health Composite (MHC; lower scores represent worse outcomes) and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) scale. Results were weighted to total population estimates using the International Database of the U.S. Census Bureau (2023).
RESULTS: Of the total participants (n=62,022), 5.3% reported COPD diagnosis, 16.1% were at risk, and 78.6% were not at risk. Diagnosed adults were older vs. those at risk (56.8 vs. 54.5 years). At-risk had more males (51.2% vs. 46.5% for diagnosed). Over three in four diagnosed and at-risk adults ever smoked, while 47.2% of at-risk adults currently smoke (vs. 38.6% of diagnosed). Diagnosed patients had the lowest PHC score (37.2) vs. at-risk (40.5) vs. not at-risk (47.8). MHC scores showed a similar pattern: diagnosed had the lowest (37.8) vs. at-risk (39.2) vs. not at-risk (44.6). Diagnosed patients had the highest overall work impairment and activity impairment, followed by those at-risk, which were higher than not at-risk.
CONCLUSIONS: About 16% of EU adults could be at risk for COPD. While diagnosed patients had worst health outcomes, at-risk adults also had significantly poorer quality of life scores and greater work and activity impairment compared to not at-risk. Further evaluations by physicians can help confirm COPD risk/diagnosis and guide treatment management.