Prevalence of and risk factors for chronic bronchitis in a Canadian population: the Canadian Community Health Survey, 2007 to 2008

Chronic bronchitis (CB) represents one of the respiratory disease phenotypes that affect the Canadian health care system significantly. Presently, almost 6.5% of total health care costs are related to respiratory diseases. To determine the prevalence of self-reported CB and associated risk factors in the Canadian general population. Data regarding individuals ≥12 years of age from the Canadian Community Health Survey, 2007 to 2008, were analyzed. CB was determined through self-reported health professional diagnosis. Information regarding covariates of importance, such as demographics, lifestyle variables and socioeconomic status, was obtained. A weighted logistic regression analysis was performed with appropriate technique for clustering effects. The prevalence of self-reported CB was 2.5%. A greater prevalence of self-reported CB associated with older age, female sex and white ethnic group was found. There were differences in the prevalence of self-reported CB among regions of Canada for household income, educational attainment and smoking status. The results suggest an association between ethnicity and the prevalence of CB. The associations between self-reported CB prevalence and household income, educational attainment and smoking status varied according to region of Canada.