ABSTRACT
Objective To measure the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a rural area of Kunming. Methods Shilin County was selected as the study region. Disability adjusted life years (DALY) was used to measure the burden to COPD. Results The overall prevalence of COPD was 6.68% , and males had higher prevalence of COPD than females. Females accounted for higher YLL rate and DALY rate due to COPD than males, whereas males had higher YLD rate due to COPD than females. People aged 60 years and over were responsible for higher YLL rate, YLD rate and DALY rate due to COPD compared to other age group. Conclusion COPD does harm to males' quality of life whereas threatens females' death in the study region. The region should focus on further prevention and control of COPD.