The Burden and Risk Factors of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Asia and Its Countries from 1990 to 2021: A Systematic Analysis Based on the 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study

Background Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive and irreversible lung disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COPD has become one of the leading causes of death globally. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the COPD burden in the Asia region. Methods This study utilizes data on incidence, mortality, and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD 2021), combined with the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI), to comprehensively assess the burden of COPD. The study also calculates the Annual Percentage Change (APC) and the Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC), along with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). In addition, the main risk factors for COPD were evaluated Results In 2021, the number of COPD incidences in Asia was 10,512,843 cases (95% UI: 9,610,006–11,432,970), with an age-standardized incidence rate of 210.79 per 100,000 persons (95% UI: 193.52–227.94). The number of deaths was 2,885,059 cases (95% UI: 2,571,267–3,218,689), with an age-standardized death rate of 64.10 per 100,000 persons (95% UI: 56.74–71.66). The number of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) was 60,507,100 cases (95% UI: 55,319,463–66,518,282), with a disability-adjusted life years rate of 1253.15 per 100,000 persons (95% UI: 1148.26–1376.29). At the regional level, South Asia exhibited the highest COPD burden among all regions in Asia. Furthermore, particulate matter pollution (PM), smoking, secondhand smoke, and occupational exposure to particulate matter, gases, and fumes (OP-MGF) were identified as the main risk factors for COPD in Asia. Conclusions This study reveals the burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the Asia region, with particulate matter pollution, smoking, and occupational exposure identified as the primary risk factors. Given the significant disease burden observed in the region, future public health interventions should focus on targeted measures to reduce the COPD burden and improve overall health outcomes.