Table 2.

Risk factors associated with new diagnosis of COPD among 6,710 symptomatic smokers and ex-smokers identified in general practice

Risk factor	OR	95% CI	p-value
Pack-years (/10)	1.06	1.03–1.09	<0.001
Symptoms
Dyspnea	1.2	1.0–1.4	0.039
Phlegm	1.3	1.1–1.6	<0.001
Wheeze	1.3	1.1–1.6	0.012
MRC score 3+	1.6	1.2–2.0	0.001
Age
40–49 years	1.6	0.9–1.8	0.120
50–59 years	2.4	1.4–4.1	0.002
60–69 years	3.5	2.0–6.0	<0.001
≥70 years	3.9	2.2–6.7	<0.001
BMI group
<25 (kg/m2)	4.2	3.0–5.9	<0.001
>35 (kg/m2)	1.6	1.1–2.2	0.006

Note:  MRC score 3+: an MRC score of 3–5 compared to an MRC score of 1–2.

Abbreviations: MRC, Medical Research Council dyspnea scale; BMI, body mass index.