Risk Factors for Unawareness of Obstructive Airflow Limitation among Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study is to examine risk factors for unawareness of obstructive airflow limitation among adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: Secondary data analysis was performed with the data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES; 2013–2014). The data were analyzed with the IBM SPSS 22.0 version using frequency, percentage, odds ratio, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Ninety-eight percent of subject with a pulmonary function test score of FEV1/FVC < 0.7 (N=833) did not recognize that their lung function was impaired. The heavy drink, absence of tuberculosis or asthma diagnosis, and no symptom of expelling phlegm were identified as major risk factors for unawareness of airflow limitation. CONCLUSION: In order to increase awareness of airflow limitation and to prevent the worsening of the condition, the pulmonary function screening test should be provided to community residents including those who do not show symptoms of respiratory illness.