Andres Caballero

TL;DR: Even with substantial heterogeneity in COPD prevalence, COPD underdiagnosis is universally high and effective management strategies are available for COPD, so spirometry can help in the diagnosis of COPD at a stage when treatment will lead to better outcomes and improved quality of life.

TL;DR: The overall COPD prevalence using the primary definition (spirometric) was 8.9%, ranging from 6.2% in Barranquilla to 13.5% in Medellín, with a nonsignificant tendency toward larger prevalence with higher altitude.

TL;DR: The burden of disease and societal consequences of allergic entities in urban settings in countries such as Colombia are of concern but are largely ignored, perhaps because of the misconception that these diseases are of public health importance only in industrialized nations.

TL;DR: The epidemiologic situation of asthma in adults 40 years and older in Colombia is described and the association of indoor wood smoke and occupational exposures with asthma and wheezing is supported.

TL;DR: Living at high altitude is not associated with a difference in COPD prevalence after accounting for individual risk factors, however, high altitude itself was associated with an increased risk of undiagnosed COPD.