Early-onset chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with female sex, maternal factors, and African American race in the COPDGene Study.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

The characterization of young adults who develop late-onset diseases may augment the detection of novel genes and promote new pathogenic insights.

Methods

We analyzed data from 2,500 individuals of African and European ancestry in the COPDGene Study. Subjects with severe, early-onset chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n=70, age < 55 yr, FEV1 < 50% predicted) were compared with older subjects with COPD (n =306, age >64 yr, FEV1 <50% predicted).

Measurements and main results

Subjects with severe, early-onset COPD were predominantly females (66%), P =0.0004. Proportionally,early-onset COPD was seen in 42% (25 of 59) of African Americans versus 14% (45 of 317) of non-Hispanic whites, P <0.0001. Other risk factors included current smoking (56 vs. 17%,

SUBMITTER: Foreman MG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3175544 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature