Never-Smoker COPD Characteristics and Risk Factors

Clinical Characteristics

Never smokers with COPD tend to have less severe disease, with fewer respiratory symptoms, milder airflow limitation, and lower burden of systemic inflammation compared to smokers with COPD, according to the American Thoracic Society 1
Never smokers with COPD do not have increased risk of lung cancer or cardiovascular comorbidities, but they do have increased risk of pneumonia and mortality from respiratory failure, as reported by the American Thoracic Society 1

Long-standing asthma is present in 14-38% of never-smoker COPD cases and represents an independent risk factor for developing chronic airflow limitation, as noted by the American Thoracic Society 1
Occupational exposures, including organic and inorganic dusts, chemical agents, and fumes, are underappreciated risk factors for never-smoker COPD, according to the American Thoracic Society 1
Childhood factors, such as severe childhood respiratory infections, lower respiratory tract infections, and impaired lung growth during childhood and adolescence, contribute to reduced maximal lung function in early adulthood, as reported by the American Thoracic Society 1