--- title: "Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Chronic Bronchitis in LMICs: A Multi-Country Cohort St" id: "european-respiratory-journal-10-a-multi-country-cohort-study-evaluating-the-prevalence-risk-factors-lung-function-and-clinical-outcomes-of-chronic-bronchitis-in-low-and-middle-income-countries" canonical_url: "https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/european-respiratory-journal-10-a-multi-country-cohort-study-evaluating-the-prevalence-risk-factors-lung-function-and-clinical-outcomes-of-chronic-bronchitis-in-low-and-middle-income-countries" content_type: "clinical_feed_article" specialty: "Pulmonology" source_name: "European Respiratory Journal" source_url: "http://erj.ersjournals.com/cgi/content/short/67/3/2501435?rss=1" published_at: "2026-03-19T09:32:03.000Z" evidence_level: "Journal Feed" license: "CC-BY-NC-4.0 / Informational Use" --- # Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Chronic Bronchitis in LMICs: A Multi-Country Cohort St ## Provenance & Clinical Metadata - **Canonical URL:** https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/european-respiratory-journal-10-a-multi-country-cohort-study-evaluating-the-prevalence-risk-factors-lung-function-and-clinical-outcomes-of-chronic-bronchitis-in-low-and-middle-income-countries - **Specialty:** [Pulmonology](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/pulmonology.md) - **Primary Source:** European Respiratory Journal - **Source URL:** [Original Journal Publication](http://erj.ersjournals.com/cgi/content/short/67/3/2501435?rss=1) - **Published At:** 2026-03-19T09:32:03.000Z - **Evidence Rating:** Journal Feed ## Executive GIST (TL;DR) Chronic bronchitis affected 9.7% of adults ≥40 years across three LMIC populations (Bhaktapur, Lima, Nakaseke) in this population-based cohort (mean age 56.2 years; 49.0% male; 33.1% ever-smokers). Among those with chronic bronchitis, 31.5% also had COPD. A multivariable log-binomial model identified several factors independently associated with chronic bronchitis: older age (per 19.8-year increment; aRR 1.54, 95% CI 1.40–1.70), male sex (aRR 1.18, 95% CI 1.05–1.34), prior tuberculosis (aRR 1.45, 95% CI 1.14–1.83), prior asthma diagnosis (aRR 2.11, 95% CI 1.84–2.42), cumulative tobacco exposure (per 10 pack-years; aRR 1.16, 95% CI 1.14–1.18), family history of chronic respiratory disease (aRR 1.69, 95% CI 1.50–1.91), second-hand smoke exposure (aRR 1.45, 95% CI 1.28–1.64), lower socioeconomic status (aRR 1.22, 95% CI 1.07–1.39) and indoor biomass exposure (aRR 1.45, 95% CI 1.13–1.86). ## Clinical Analysis & Structured Key Points Prevalence and Determinants of Chronic Bronchitis in LMIC Populations: A Three-Country Cohort Scope and design: - Population-based cross-sectional assessment of adults aged 40 years and older across three low- and middle-income country sites: Bhaktapur, Nepal; Lima, Peru; and Nakaseke, Uganda. - Chronic bronchitis defined by a productive cough on several days per week during the past four weeks. - Analytical approach employed multivariable log-binomial regression to identify factors linked with chronic bronchitis and associated outcomes. Key epidemiologic signal: - Among 9,664 participants (mean age 56.2 years; 49.0% male; 33.1% ever-smokers), the overall prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 9.7%. - About one-third of individuals with chronic bronchitis also met criteria for COPD. Notable risk factors and exposure profile: - Age: each substantial increase in age carried higher risk (adjusted relative risk 1.54 per 19.8-year interval). - Sex: male sex associated with increased risk (aRR 1.18). - Personal respiratory history: prior tuberculosis and prior asthma diagnosis showed positive associations (aRRs 1.45 and 2.11, respectively). - Tobacco exposure: greater pack-years correlated with higher risk (aRR 1.16 per 10 pack-years). - Familial and environmental factors: family history of chronic respiratory disease, second-hand smoke exposure, lower socioeconomic status, and indoor biomass exposure all showed positive associations with chronic bronchitis. - Notably, second-hand smoke and biomass-related exposures demonstrated consistent, statistically supported links to chronic bronchitis within this LMIC cohort. Clinical and functional context: - Individuals with chronic bronchitis reported increased breathlessness and poorer respiratory health status, as reflected by higher St George's Respiratory Questionnaire scores. - Higher rates of hospitalization were observed among those with chronic bronchitis, indicating a greater burden on health services. Contextual interpretation and limitations: - The study emphasizes chronic bronchitis as a relatively common condition within LMIC settings, with multiple modifiable risk factors identified, including environmental exposures and prior respiratory diseases. - The primary content presented supports associations but does not provide numerical outcomes beyond reported risk estimates and descriptive results. 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