Trends
COPD trends have shown variable patterns globally. In Norway, a study
covering 1995-2008 found a decrease in COPD prevalence among men but
stability among women, reflecting the differing impacts of smoking
cessation programs and gender-specific smoking trends [6]. In
Canada, despite a decline in smoking rates, COPD prevalence increased by
64.8% from 1996 to 2007, with the burden shifting more towards women
[7].
In the UK, prevalence rates among men plateaued from the mid-1990s,
while rates among women continued to rise, reaching parity with men by
the late 1990s [4]. Similarly, in Spain, a significant reduction in
COPD prevalence was observed over a decade, dropping from 9.1% in 1997
to 4.5% in 2007, alongside improvements in diagnosis and treatment
[8].
Overall, while global COPD prevalence has increased, age-standardized
rates in many high-income countries show a plateau or decline,
reflecting the complex interplay of aging populations, smoking trends,
and healthcare improvements.