Mortality from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among Adults Aged 25 Years or Older in North Carolina

Objectives: Recent reports highlight variation in the burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mortality across the United States. This report describes COPD mortality in North Carolina (NC). Methods: Data on COPD deaths were obtained from the National Vital Statistics System. COPD deaths were identified using International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 codes 490, 491, 492, and 496 for 1980-1998, and ICD-10 codes J40, J41, J42, J43, and J44 for 1999-2006. Death rates (per 100,000 population) were computed by dividing the number of COPD deaths by midyear population estimates, using the 2000 US standard population aged >= 25 years for direct age standardization. Results: During 2000-2006, COPD was the underlying cause of death for more than 25,000 persons aged >= 25 years in NC (12,478 women, 12,991 men). Death rates per 100,000 population increased with age, and age-adjusted mortality rates were greater among men (91.7; 95% confidence interval, 90.1-93.4) than women (56.2; 55.2-57.1), and among whites (75.0; 74.1-76.0) than blacks (42.5; 40.8-44.2). From 1980-2006, the COPD death rate among women increased from 12.9 to 59.1 per 100,000 population, while the rate for men increased from 72.9 to 83.7 per 100,000 population. Conclusion: The findings in this report indicate an increased burden of COPD among persons aged >= 25 years in NC from 1980-2006, with differences in mortality patterns for men and women. Continued attention is needed to improve public recognition of COPD as a public health problem and to increase awareness of COPD symptoms. In addition, routine collection of state-based COPD prevalence data over time is needed to further understand the burden of COPD.