Early-Onset COPD in Young Adults Linked to Higher Mortality and Morbidity: Study
A recent analysis of U.S. population-based cohorts has revealed that early-onset chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — diagnosed in individuals aged 18 to 49 — affects at least 4.5% of this age group and is tied to significantly higher long-term health risks. These include increased hospitalization rates, elevated risk of chronic lower respiratory disease mortality, a greater likelihood of developing heart failure, and higher all-cause mortality before age 75 (Lange et al., 2024).
The study, published in NEJM Evidence, highlights a growing concern: COPD is not just a disease of older adults. While traditionally associated with long-term smoking in older populations, early-onset COPD may result from multiple exposures — including secondhand smoke, environmental pollutants, vaping, and early-life respiratory infections — and often goes underdiagnosed in younger adults. Researchers suggest that defining and recognizing "early COPD" as a distinct clinical category could help identify at-risk individuals sooner and offer a critical window for intervention. Despite their younger age, patients with early COPD experience significant declines in lung function and quality of life and are more likely to develop comorbid conditions like cardiovascular disease. vThe findings point toward a need for earlier screening strategies, especially in young adults with chronic respiratory symptoms or known risk factors. Proactive management — including smoking cessation, pulmonary rehab, and timely pharmacotherapy — could potentially alter the trajectory of the disease.
Keywords: early-onset COPD, chronic respiratory disease, COPD in young adults, lung health, premature mortality, all-cause mortality, heart failure risk, respiratory hospitalization, U.S. cohorts, COPD risk factors, Lange, P., Barr, R. G., Hansel, N. N
