Prevalence and Risk Factors of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among Agriculturists in a Rural Community, Central Thailand

COPD is a principle condition leading to several serious complications, ie, cor pulmonale, recurrent pneumonia, pneumothorax and respiratory failure. Although the pathogenic mechanisms of COPD remain unclear, various risk factors such as genetic constitution, bronchial hyper-responsiveness, perinatal factors, childhood asthma, air pollution and cigarette smoking were identified to cause the disease. In addition, COPD is considered a common occupational disease in particular populations including tunnel workers, coal miners and agricultural workers. Related studies have reported the prevalence of COPD among agricultural workers including cattle, swine and poultry breeders was relatively high compared with that among nonfarming workers. Agricultural workers can be exposed to biochemical, organic and inorganic substances which may contribute to COPD, for instance, dust, biomass smoke, ammonia, silica and endotoxins. Approximately one half of the Thai population live in rural areas where the characteristics of healthcare infrastructure and providers differ from those of urban settings especially in remote rural areas. According to Thai national health policies, some noncommunicable diseases including type 2 diabetes and hypertension, but not COPD have been actively surveyed at the community level. Thus, the current situation of COPD in rural communities remains limited. Most of the Thai population in rural communities works as agriculturists. However, the information of factors potentially responsible for COPD among agriculturists remains limited, which is essential to focus on preventing the disease. Attenuating the risk factors of COPD will also help to slow disease progression and reduce associated complications. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of COPD among agriculturists in a remote rural community in Chachoengsao Province, central Thailand