Burden of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in China: an analysis based on the GBD 2021 compared with the United States

Abstract

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an important disease affecting physical health worldwide, and the burden of this disease has been growing since 1991 for both China and the US. Objective To examine the changes in the burden of COPD in both China and the US between 1990–2021. Methods The joinpoint analysis, age-Period-Cohort analysis, decomposition analysis, predictive analysis methods were used to describe prevalence, incidence, death, and disability-adjusted life years for COPD in China and the US. Results Compared with China, all four measures of the US COPD burden were higher than they had been in 1990. The burden of COPD increases with age in China. Conversely, in the US, the burden of COPD is getting younger. The epidemiological changes have contributed to an increasing burden of COPD in the US, but have led to a decline in the burden of COPD in China. By 2042, the number of cases in both countries will rise, especially the death rate in the US. Conclusion The burden of COPD will not rapidly decline in the short term, both China and the US, as well as the global community, must take this disease seriously.