The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a BOLD study

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Saudi adults aged 40 years using standardised post-bronchodilator spirometry according to the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) protocol.METHODS: Saudi men and women aged 40 years were recruited by stratified multistage random sampling in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Participants completed questionnaires on respiratory symptoms and exposure to risk factors for COPD. Spirometry was performed according to standard methods. COPD was defined as post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC (forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity) ratio