Sex, Smoking and Occupational Risk Factors for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes cough, phlegm and breathlessness, especially in smokers, but also affects non-smokers. This thesis investigated COPD among persons who never smoked, examined how ‘lung age’ was calculated, and studied smokers’ readiness to quit. It also explored the effects of different job exposures on COPD. Findings showed that many persons who never smoked have COPD, with men and women showing different risk factors that make them more likely to develop the disease. Some jobs were linked to symptoms, but not strongly to COPD. More research is needed to prevent COPD and assist those at risk.