Assessment of risk factors in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in several districts of Albania

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease represents a major public health problem worldwide. The disease is associated with a wide range of comorbidities and risk factors, including genetic predisposition, tobacco smoking, respiratory infections, malnutrition, aging, occupational exposure, and air pollution. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and to identify the main risk factors associated with its development in selected districts of Albania during the period 2021–2022. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study based on clinical records collected from dispensaries in the districts of Tirana, Fier, Elbasan, Kukës and Korçë. A total of 435 medical records were included in the analysis, of which 160 corresponded to the year 2021 and 275 to the year 2022. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. The results showed a higher prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among individuals older than 50 years of age. Advanced stages of the disease (stage III and IV) were more frequent among males, accounting for 25.9% of cases in 2021 and 27.9% in 2022. A statistically significant association was found between smoking and development of the disease. Individuals over 50 years of age showed the highest risk of developing the disease, and males were found to be at greater risk than females. Significant associations were also observed between sex and body mass index, occupation and disease stage, smoking status and disease stage, as well as place of residence and disease stage.