Asthma, Smoking, Chronic Sinusitis Tied To Early COPD Risk

Asthma, having ever smoked, and chronic sinusitis are associated with increased odds for developing COPD before age 50 among Hispanics, according to a study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. The investigators found that the sex- and age-adjusted prevalence of early COPD was 7.7% among 7,323 participants younger than 50 in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Increased odds of early COPD were seen with asthma (OR, 3.45), smoking status (ever vs never: OR, 1.71), and chronic sinusitis (OR, 1.63). Lower odds of early COPD were seen for Hispanic immigrants versus US-born Hispanics. Pack-years among smokers were not associated with early COPD. The mean population attributable risks for asthma, smoking status, and chronic sinusitis were 26.5%, 21.4%, and 6.7%, respectively.