A recent systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continues to impose a substantial yet underrecognized burden among Indian adults, with approximately one in eight individuals affected based on spirometry-confirmed diagnoses. The findings reinforce the need for greater use of spirometry, particularly in high-risk populations, and highlight persistent regional and demographic disparities in disease burden. Researchers analyzed 23 observational studies involving 27,319 adults from across India, all of which used spirometry to diagnose COPD.
The pooled prevalence was estimated at 13% , although considerable variation was observed among individual studies. Importantly, every included study was rated as high quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tool, strengthening confidence in the overall findings. The analysis identified…
