COPD Prevalence and Risk Factors in Korean Older Adults

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Purpose: This study estimated the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to identify its risk factors among older adults in Korea using nationally representative data.
Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the 2016–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data. Participants aged ≥65 years with complete spirometry and health-related data were included, totaling 2,127 individuals. The sociodemographic and health-related variables, including smoking, alcohol consumption, comorbidities, and physical activity, were analyzed. Logistic regression models were used to identify the independent risk factors for COPD.
Results: The prevalence of COPD among Korean older adults was 34.9%. The COPD prevalence was significantly higher in men (74.4% vs. 29.7%) and individuals with advanced age (mean age: 72.75 years). Current smoking (OR=7.621; 95% CI=4.508–12.886) and past smoking (OR=2.075; 95% CI=1.458–2.953) were identified as the strongest risk factors for COPD. Male sex (OR=3.683; 95% CI=2.534–5.352) and increasing age (OR=1.074 per year; 95% CI=1.048–1.101) were also significant risk factors. Comorbid conditions, such as hypertension and dyslipidemia, showed associations in univariate analyses but were not significant in the multivariate models.
Conclusion: The prevalence of COPD among elderly Koreans is high at 34.9%, with smoking, male sex, and advanced age identified as major risk factors. These findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted prevention and management strategies, including tailored smoking cessation programs for high-risk populations.