Trends in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Prevalence, Incidence, and Mortality in Ontario, Canada, 1996 to 2007

Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable lung disease associated with substantial mortality. According to the World Health Organization, it is the fifth most common cause of death and the 10th most burdensome disease worldwide.1 A recent large-scale, population-based study conducted in several different countries has estimated the prevalence of COPD to be more than 10% among adults aged 40 years and older.2