Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Emergency Department Visits
Summary Indicator Report Data View Options
COPD Emergency Department Visits by County, Age-adjusted Rates, 2018-2022, 2018-2022
COPD Emergency Department Visits by County, Age-adjusted Rates Age 25 Years and Older, 2018-2022, 2018-2022
Why Is This Important?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that obstructs lung airflow, making it difficult to breathe. It primarily includes two conditions: chronic bronchitis, which involves long-term inflammation of the airways and excessive mucus production, and emphysema, which involves damage to the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs. Symptoms of COPD can include persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. It is commonly caused by long-term exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, and dust. COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In 2021, 138,825 people in the United States died from COPD, making it the sixth overall leading cause of death and the fifth disease-related cause of death, behind heart disease, cancer, COVID-19, accidents, and stroke (American Lung Association). According to the American Lung Association, COPD is a leading cause of hospitalization in the United States, with over 335,000 admissions in 2020. In 2020, there were 925,000 COPD emergency department visits, or 279.1 per 100,000.
Definition
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a chronic lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. A COPD Emergency Department (ED) visit is a trip to the ED by a New Mexico resident that occurs with COPD listed as the primary (first-listed) diagnosis of a New Mexico resident. A COPD diagnosis includes the ICD-9-CM codes 490-492 or 496 or 493.2* when 490-492 or 496 is present on any secondary diagnoses, and, after 10/2015, the ICD-10-CM codes J40-J44. Measures shown include: 1) annual age-adjusted rates for COPD ED visits; 2) annual age-adjusted rates for COPD ED visits among persons 25 and over; 3) age-adjusted rates for COPD ED visits by county; 4) age-adjusted rates for COPD ED visits among persons 25 and over by county; and 5) number of COPD ED visits by sex for age 25 and over. Rates are per 10,000 population. Age-adjustment by the direct method to the 2000 US standard population.
Data Sources
- Emergency Department (ED) dataset, Health Systems Epidemiology Program, New Mexico Department of Health
- New Mexico Population Estimates: University of New Mexico, Geospatial and Population Studies (GPS) Program.
(http://gps.unm.edu/)
How the Measure is Calculated
| Numerator: | Number of all ED visits where COPD is the primary (first-listed) diagnosis, including those admitted as inpatients in that hospital or transferred to another hospital. |
| Denominator: | Estimated total number of New Mexico residents in a specified population over a specified time period (mid-year estimates). |
How Are We Doing?
From 2014 to 2019, the COPD emergency department visit rate for all ages did not change on average year to year. However, from 2019 to 2020 a 40% rate decrease was observed, presumably due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent avoidance of and limited capacity in health care facilities. In 2022, there were 5,320 emergency department visits, or 20.2 per 10,000 population. Given that COPD emergency department visit rates generally increase with age, the rates for residents aged 25 years an older are higher as expected. For the 25 and older age group in 2022, there were 5,112 emergency department visits, or 29.4 per 10,000 population.
What Is Being Done?
Steps to be taken to reduce risk for COPD include: 1) If you are a smoker, STOP SMOKING. Quitting smoking is the single most important thing a smoker can do to live a longer and healthier life. The New Mexico Department of Nicotine Use Prevention and Control Program (NUPAC NM) and its partners use a comprehensive, evidence-based, approach to reduce tobacco use. The American Lung Association also has many programs to help you quit for good. 2) If you don't smoke, don't start. Smoking causes COPD, lung cancer, heart disease and other cancers. 3) Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke. Make your home smokefree. You'll not only protect yourself, but your family too. Learn about your rights to a smoke-free environment at work and in public places. 4) Stay current on your vaccinations, COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia to help protect you against respiratory viruses. 5) Protect yourself against chemicals, dust and fumes in your home and in your workplace. Use appropriate protective equipment. 6) Help fight for clean air. Work with others in your community to help clean up the air you and your family breathe.
Other Objectives
CDC Environmental Public Health Tracking, Nationally Consistent Data and Measures (EPHT NCDM)
Footnote References
- American Lung Association: https://www.lung.org/research/trends-in-lung-disease/copd-trends-brief/copd-mortality.\ -