Prevalence of chronic respiratory disease in urban and rural Uganda

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases in urban and rural Uganda and to identify risk factors for these diseases.MethodsThe population-based, cross-sectional study included adults aged 35 years or older. All participants were evaluated by spirometry according to standard guidelines and completed questionnaires on respiratory symptoms, functional status and demographic characteristics. The presence of four chronic respiratory conditions was monitored: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, chronic bronchitis and a restrictive spirometry pattern.FindingsIn total, 1502 participants (average age: 46.9 years) had acceptable, reproducible spirometry results: 837 (56%) in rural Nakaseke and 665 (44%) in urban Kampala. Overall, 46.5% (698/1502) were male. The age-adjusted prevalence of any chronic respiratory condition was 20.2%. The age-adjusted prevalence of COPD was significantly greater in rural than urban participants (6.1 versus 1.5%, respectively; P < 0.001), whereas asthma was significantly more prevalent in urban participants: 9.7% versus 4.4% in rural participants (P < 0.001). The age-adjusted prevalence of chronic bronchitis was similar in rural and urban participants (3.5 versus 2.2%, respectively; P = 0.62), as was that of a restrictive spirometry pattern (10.9 versus 9.4%; P = 0.82). For COPD, the population attributable risk was 51.5% for rural residence, 19.5% for tobacco smoking, 16.0% for a body mass index < 18.5 kg/m2 and 13.0% for a history of treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis.ConclusionThe prevalence of chronic respiratory disease was high in both rural and urban Uganda. Place of residence was the most important risk factor for COPD and asthma.

Association between Blood Pressure and HIV Status in Rural Uganda: Results of Cross-Sectional Analysis

“…We conducted secondary analysis of pooled data from two cohort studies carried out in Nakaseke district, Central Uganda. Specifically, data were compiled from the community-based Lung function in Nakaseke and Kampala (LiNK) study and the Lung function in HIV positive individuals (HIV-LINK) study, which was conducted at four HIV/AIDS treatment centers in Nakaseke district, Uganda [ 9 ].…”

“…LiNK is a community-based cohort study conducted between November 2015 and June 2016 and has been described elsewhere [ 9 ]. HIV-LiNK is a cross-sectional study that recruited HIV positive participants at four HIV/AIDS treatment centers in Nakaseke district, Uganda, between January and December 2017 [ 10 ].…”

Asthma and Allergic Disorders in Uganda: A Population-Based Study Across Urban and Rural Settings

“…Participants were enrolled in the Lung Function in Nakaseke and Kampala (LiNK) study, a population-based cohort study whose primary objective was to characterize the prevalence and risk factors for chronic respiratory diseases in adults in urban and rural settings of Uganda(15). The study aimed to enroll 2,000 participants, 1,000 from each site.…”

Cohort profile: The Chikwawa lung health cohort; a population-based observational non-communicable respiratory disease study of adults in Malawi

“…The majority of the burden of NCRD mortality and morbidity is in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) [1,7], which now account for 90% of COPD deaths [8]. Several community based studies in LMIC have documented a high prevalence of abnormal lung function, both obstructive and restrictive (low lung volumes) [9][10][11][12][13][14][15], whilst several couple have documented low prevalence of COPD [16,17] but high prevalence of respiratory symptoms [17]. In contrast, very few observational cohort studies have reported and described the health and economic burden of NCRD [18,19], especially in LMIC settings.…”