The aim was to investigate the prevalence of COPD in adults of urban and rural regions. This was a cross sectional epidemiological survey involved 1 280 persons living at the Kachugski rural region and 1 820 ones living at an urban (Bratsk) region; all of them were older than 18 yrs. We used a standardized questionnaire of respiratory symptoms (ECSC). Lung function tests were performed in all the participants; functional criteria of COPD were based on post bronchodilating FEV1 < 80 % pred. and / or FEV1 / FVC < 70 %. Prevalence of COPD in the population over 18 years of age was 6.6 % in the rural region (14.6 % for males and 1.8 % for females) and 3.1 % in the urban region (4.7 and 1.6 % correspondingly). The prevalence of COPD increased with aging: 10.1 % in the town and 22.6 % in the rural region for the males of 50 to 69 yrs old. Conclusion: the high prevalence of COPD in general population and low diagnosis of this disease were found particularly among males over 50 yrs of age.

Межрегиональная Общественная организация "Российское Респираторное Общество" Академический Медицинский Центр, г. Санкт Петербург 14-17 ноября 2006 года в Санкт Петербурге состоится 16 й Национальный Конгресс по болезням органов дыхания. Прием тезисов и ранняя регистрация до 1 июля 2006 года. Подробная информация об условиях участия в Конгрессе: www.pulmolology.ru