Prevalence and Risks of Chronic Airway Obstruction: A Population Cohort Study in Taiwan.

The article presents a study on the prevalence, incidence, and hospitalization for chronic airway obstruction (CAO) conducted to a population cohort from the National Health Insurance in Taiwan. The chronological trends of CAO and the relationships between the CAO severity and age, sex, urbanization, and hospitalization and comorbidity for the population of 40 years old or older are presented. In effect, patient care are being promoted, and a proper pathway for detection of CAO are provided.