LSTM Home > LSTM Research > LSTM Online Archive

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

Finney, L J, Feary, J R, Leonardi-Bee, J, Gordon, Stephen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6576-1116 and Mortimer, Kevin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8118-8871 (2013) 'Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review'. International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Vol 17, Issue 5, pp. 583-589.

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health problem. Although COPD is the sixth most common cause of mortality in low- and middle-income countries, most research comes from high-income countries. We set out to systematically review existing published research on COPD in sub-Saharan Africa to identify knowledge gaps and opportunities for further research.METHODS: A literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) databases, published reviews, reference lists from included publications and abstracts from major thoracic medicine conference proceedings within the previous 2 years was performed using a protocol-driven search strategy. Texts were screened for inclusion by two independent reviewers. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: 1) COPD was an outcome, and 2) the population included people from sub-Saharan Africa. There were no language restrictions.FINDINGS: Our search identified 688 studies: 41 were duplicates, 638 were excluded, and 9 met our inclusion criteria. Included studies were all cross-sectional, and included 3673 people from four sub-Saharan African countries. Estimates of COPD prevalence varied between 4% and 25%. Only one study used population-based representative sampling and an adequate case definition. Assessment of risk factors was limited.CONCLUSIONS: There is little existing research on COPD in sub-Saharan Africa. Prevalence estimates varied, reflecting the range of populations studied, inconsistent diagnostic criteria and variable methods and methodological quality. Population-representative studies using appropriate case definitions are needed to define the epidemiology of COPD in sub-Saharan Africa and to inform the development of prevention and management strategies for the future.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: WA Public Health > WA 105 Epidemiology
WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries
WF Respiratory System > WF 140 Diseases of the respiratory system (General)
Faculty: Department: Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI): https://doi.org/10.5588/ijtld.12.0619
Depositing User: Julie Franco
Date Deposited: 26 Apr 2013 10:10
Last Modified: 07 Oct 2019 08:23
URI: https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/3352

Statistics

View details

Actions (login required)

Edit Item Edit Item