Subclinical Respiratory Impairment and Quality of Life Among Non-Smoking Adults in Rural Chiang Mai, Thailand.

ABSTRACT: Background: Subclinical respiratory impairment among non-smokers in regions with haze-affected regions is still under-recognized, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study assessed the prevalence of subclinical respiratory impairment among non-smoking adults and examined its determinants and associations with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 244 non-smoking adults (18-65 years) from three rural districts underwent standardized spirometry and completed the Thai WHOQOL-BREF-26. Subclinical impairment was defined as an FEV₁/FVC < 0.70 or FVC < 80% predicted in the absence of symptoms. Demographic, occupational, and environmental information was obtained through structured

SUBMITTER: Samar M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12898581 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature