ArticlePloS one2023
A nationwide survey of public COPD knowledge and awareness in Saudi Arabia: A population-based survey of 15,000 adults.
Article in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Status of COPD in Saudi Arabia: challenges, gaps, and opportunities for health system transformation.Frontiers in public health · 2026Pooled it
- Prevalence, predictors and burden of secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure in Saudi Arabia: a large-scale cross-sectional survey.BMJ open · 2026Article
- Global disparities in chronic dyspnoea prevalence in population-based studies: a comprehensive literature review.European respiratory review : an official journal of the European Respiratory Society · 2026Review
- Smoking behavior and nicotine dependence: the predictive role of personality traits.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Association of prior interstitial lung disease awareness with knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Saudi Arabia: a national cross-sectional study.Frontiers in public health · 2026Observational
- Level of Awareness About Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Among Active Smokers.International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease · 2026Article
- Optimizing Interdisciplinary Referral Pathways for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Management Across Cardiology and Pulmonology Specialties in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
- A qualitative study of patient experiences and expectations around hospital care during exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - a health CASCADE study.BMC pulmonary medicine · 2025Article
- Global, regional, and national burden of young COPD, 1990-2021, with forecasts to 2050: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2021.BMC public health · 2025Article
- Article
- Article
- Obesity Prevalence and Association with Spirometry Profiles, ICU Admission, and Comorbidities Among Patients with COPD: Retrospective Study in Two Tertiary Centres in Saudi Arabia.International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease · 2024Article
- A population-based study of 15,000 people on Knowledge and awareness of lung cancer symptoms and risk factors in Saudi Arabia.Frontiers in oncology · 2024Article
- Up in smoke: Identifying signs, symptoms, and risk factors of lung cancer among smokers in Saudi Arabia.Annals of thoracic medicineArticle
- Awareness and barriers of adherence to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease guidelines among respiratory therapists.Annals of thoracic medicineArticle
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Authors and funding
20 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThere is a concerning lack of representative data on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) awareness in Saudi Arabia, and a significant proportion of the population is vulnerable to developing a smoking habit, which is a major risk factor for the disease.
methodsPopulation-Based Survey of 15,000 people was conducted to assess the public knowledge and awareness of COPD across Saudi Arabia from October 2022 to March 2023.
resultsA total of 15002 responders completed the survey, with a completion rate of 82%. The majority 10314 (69%) were 18-30 year and 6112 (41%) had high school education. The most common comorbidities among the responders were depression (7.67%); hypertension (6%); diabetes (5.77%) and Chronic Lung Disease (4.12%). The most common symptoms were dyspnea (17.80%); chest tightness (14.09%) and sputum (11.19%). Among those who complains of any symptoms, only 16.44% had consulted their doctor. Around 14.16% were diagnosed with a respiratory disease and only 15.56% had performed pulmonary function test (PFT). The prevalence of smoking history was 15.16%, in which current smokers were 9.09%. About 48% of smokers used cigarette, 25% used waterpipe and around 27% were E-cigarette users. About 77% of the total sample have never heard about COPD. Majority of current smokers (73.5%; 1002), ex-smokers (68%; 619), and non-smokers (77.9%; 9911) are unaware of COPD, p value <0.001. Seventy five percent (1028) of the current smokers and 70% (633) of the ex-smokers have never performed PFT, p value <0.001. Male, younger age (18-30 years), higher education, family history of respiratory diseases, previous diagnosis of respiratory disease, previous PFT, and being an ex-smokers increases the odds of COPD awareness, p-value <0.05.
conclusionThere is a significantly low awareness about COPD in Saudi Arabia, especially among smokers. A nationwide approach must include targeted public awareness campaigns, continued healthcare professional education, community-based activities encouraging diagnosis and early detection, advice on smoking cessation and lifestyle changes, as well as coordinated national COPD screening programs.
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