Canadian Health Measures Survey: Spirometry data, 2012 to 2015
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Released: 2017-01-12
About one in eight Canadians aged 35 to 79 had a measured airflow obstruction consistent with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The results come from combined data from cycles 3 and 4 (2012 to 2015) of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). COPD is a condition characterized by a progressive and chronic airflow obstruction, shortness of breath, persistent wheezing and coughing, and sputum production. It occurs primarily in adults over the age of 35.
According to CHMS data, COPD is underdiagnosed in Canadian adults. Among the 12% of 35- to 79-year-old Canadians with measured airflow obstruction consistent with COPD, only 11% reported that they had previously been diagnosed by a health care professional. Underdiagnosis was more prevalent among Canadians aged 35 to 59: only 6% of 35- to 59-year-olds with measured airflow obstruction consistent with COPD reported having been previously diagnosed, whereas more than 24% of 60- to 79-year-olds with measured airflow obstruction consistent with COPD reported having been previously diagnosed.
The Public Health Agency of Canada indicates that cigarette smoking is responsible for between 80% and 90% of all COPD cases, suggesting that the majority of cases might be prevented. Results from the CHMS support a link between COPD and smoking. Of the 12% of adults aged 35 to 79 with a measured airflow obstruction consistent with COPD, 74% reported that they were smokers or had a history of smoking.
Note to readers
Cycle 3 of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) was conducted from January 2012 to December 2013. Cycle 4 was conducted from January 2014 to December 2015.
In this release, spirometry data have been added to the full-sample physical measures data file (2014 to 2015).
Sampling weight files and instructions for combining cycle 4 CHMS data with equivalent cycle 3 data (where possible) are also available.
Products
The fact sheet "Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease under-diagnosed in Canadian adults: Results from cycles 3 and 4 (2012 to 2015) of the Canadian Health Measures Survey," which is part of the publication Health Fact Sheets (82-625-X), is now available.
Contact information
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