Passive smoking exposure and risk of COPD among adults in China: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) Vol. 370; no. 9589; pp. 751 - 757
• Main Authors: Yin, P, MSc, Jiang, CQ, Prof, Cheng, KK, Prof, Lam, TH, Prof, Lam, KH, MPhil, Miller, MR, MD, Zhang, WS, PhD, Thomas, GN, PhD, Adab, P, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2007; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; China - epidemiology; Chronic illnesses; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Cohort Studies; Data analysis; Deaths; Design; Disease; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Female; Health services; Humans; Internal Medicine; Male; Medical ethics; Medical research; Middle Aged; Mortality; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Passive smoking; Population; Prevalence; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - diagnosis; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - epidemiology; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - etiology; Respiratory function; Risk factors; Smoking; Smoking cessation; Social Class; Spirometry; Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tobacco smoke; Tobacco Smoke Pollution - adverse effects; Womens health; China
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61378-6

Summary Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of mortality in China, where the population is also exposed to high levels of passive smoking, yet little information exists on the effects of such exposure on COPD. We examined the relation between passive smoking and COPD and respiratory symptoms in an adult Chinese population. Methods We used baseline data from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study. Of 20 430 men and women over the age of 50 recruited in 2003–06, 15 379 never smokers (6497 with valid spirometry) were included in this cross-sectional analysis. We measured passive smoking exposure at home and work by two self-reported measures (density and duration of exposure). Diagnosis of COPD was based on spirometry and defined according to the GOLD guidelines. Findings There was an association between risk of COPD and self-reported exposure to passive smoking at home and work (adjusted odds ratio 1·48, 95% CI 1·18–1·85 for high level exposure; equivalent to 40 h a week for more than 5 years). There were significant associations between reported respiratory symptoms and increasing passive smoking exposure (1·16, 1·07–1·25 for any symptom). Interpretation Exposure to passive smoking is associated with an increased prevalence of COPD and respiratory symptoms. If this association is causal, we estimate that 1·9 million excess deaths from COPD among never smokers could be attributable to passive smoking in the current population in China. Our findings provide strong evidence for urgent measures against passive smoking in China.