Sex, susceptibility to smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: The effect of different diagnostic criteria. Analysis of the Health Survey for England

This cross-sectional study evaluated whether different diagnostic criteria contributed to sex differences in susceptibility to and prevalence of COPD; lung function data from 18,817 subjects aged ≥40 years who participated in the 1995, 1996 and 2001 Health Survey for England were examined, with COPD defined using GOLD, NICE, and LLN spirometric criteria. As part of the study, lung function testing was undertaken using a calibrated Vitalograph Escort spirometer.