Global burden of COPD attributable to ambient PM2.5 in 204 countries and territories, 1990 to 2019: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

The global spatiotemporal pattern of the COPD burden attributable to ambient PM2.5 is unknown in the context of the continuing increase in exposure to ambient PM2.5. Data on COPD burden attributable to ambient PM2.5 from 1990 to 2019 were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Cases and age-standardized rates of COPD mortality (ASMR) and disability-adjusted life years (ASDR) were estimated by age, sex, region, and country. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated to quantify the secular trends of ASMR and ASDR from 1990 to 2019. Globally, the number of COPD deaths and DALYs attributable to ambient PM2.5 both increased by over 90% from 1990 to 2019, but ASMR and ASDR both slightly decreased, with EAPC of −0.58 (95% CI: −0.72, −0.44) and −0.40 (95% CI: −0.51, −0.29), respectively. Most COPD deaths and DALYs attributable to PM2.5 occurred in the middle sociodemographic index (SDI) region, but the fastest growth of ASMR and ASDR occurred in the low SDI region, with EAPCs of 2.41 (95% CI: 2.23, 2.59) and 2.34 (95% CI: 2.16, 2.52), respectively. East Asia and South Asia were the high-risk areas of COPD deaths and DALYs attributable to PM2.5, among which China and India were the countries with the heaviest burden. COPD deaths and DALYs attributable to PM2.5 mainly occurred in individuals 70–89 years old and 60–84 years old, respectively. The age-specific rates of mortality and DALYs had a rapid increase in low and low-middle SDI regions from 1990 to 2019. The ASMR or ASDR had a reverse V-shaped relationship with SDI. In summary, the ambient PM2.5-attributable COPD burden is socioeconomic- and age-dependent, and it mediates the heterogeneity of spatial and temporal distribution. Low- and middle-income countries endure the highest ambient PM2.5-attributable COPD burden due to the high exposure to PM2.5 and poor availability and affordability of medicines and diagnostic tests.