Prevalence and features of asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap in Northern Italy general population

Objective: There is controversy about the diagnostic criteria, prevalence, symptoms, and spirometry characteristics of asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap (ACO). Recent data indicate that the fixed method for diagnosing airway obstruction (AO) may overestimate ACO prevalence in the elderly, and a variable method may be more accurate. We aimed at estimating ACO prevalence in a general population sample and comparing patient and clinical features in subjects with ACO, COPD, and asthma. Methods: We analyzed data from a cross-sectional study estimating COPD prevalence in randomly selected adults aged 20-79 years in Verona, Italy, and estimated prevalence and analyzed characteristics of asthma, COPD, and ACO. ACO was defined as AO (Forced Expiratory Volume in one second-FEV1/ Forced Vital Capacity-FVC < Lower Limit of Normal-LLN), highly positive bronchodilator test (>= 15% increase in FEV1 and FVC >= 400 mL), and personal self-reported history of physician diagnosed asthma and atopy. Results: One thousand two hundred and thirty-six patients were included; 207 (16.7%) had asthma, COPD, or ACO (mean ages: 61.2, 59.7, and 57.2 years, respectively). The 3 groups had similar clinical and demographic variables; however, spirometry revealed differences between ACO and COPD patients, particularly post-bronchodilator FEV1 reversibility, which was detected in ACO and asthma patients but not in those with COPD. Conclusion: ACO prevalence in Northern Italy was estimated at 2.1%, in the range of values reported by previous studies. Marked differences between ACO and COPD revealed by spirometry may have important clinical implications in terms of treatment for patients with ACO.