Prevalence of multiple lung diseases among the people and associated with wealth status and behavior factors: a longitudinal study in West Bengal.

BACKGROUND: Chronic lung diseases pose a significant public health challenge in India. The present study aims to examine the prevalence of lung diseases in relation to wealth status and behavioural factors among adults in West Bengal. METHODS: This study utilized data from the first wave of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), conducted in 2017-18. The outcome variable was the presence of lung diseases. The key explanatory variables included household wealth status and behavioural factors such as alcohol, smoking, and tobacco consumption. To measure inequality, the rich-poor ratio and rich-poor difference were calculated based on Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) quintiles. Binary logistic regression was employed to assess the association between chronic lung diseases and various socio-demographic and health-related factors. Additionally, life table techniques were used to estimate the total number of years of life lost due to alcohol, smoking, and tobacco consumption across different wealth categories. RESULTS: The prevalence of lung diseases among individuals aged above 75 years was 17%. Prevalence was higher among older males than females (15% vs. 8%). Among those who frequently consumed alcohol, smoked, and used tobacco, the prevalence rates were 8%, 10%, and 21%, respectively. The risk of lung diseases was higher among uneducated individuals compared to those with education (OR = 1.46 vs. OR = 0.63). The total years of life lost due to lung diseases by age 75 ranged from 10.9 years (CI 11.5-13.2) in the poorest quintile (Q1) to 25.3 years (CI 24.8-25.9) in the richest quintile (Q5). CONCLUSION: Given the higher prevalence of lung diseases among older adults, health programs should aim to increase awareness and address substance use, particularly alcohol consumption, smoking, and tobacco use among vulnerable populations. Strengthening lung health initiatives tailored to behavioural and socio-economic risk factors is essential for improving health outcomes.