2026-04-19T21:39:13Zhttps://recercat.cat/oai/request

oai:recercat.cat:2072/4282392025-10-25T03:38:21Zcom_2072_98col_2072_378192

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Blanco Guillermo, Ignacio author Diego, Isidro author Bueno, Patricia author Fernández, Eloy author Casas-Maldonado, Francisco author Esquinas, Cristina author Soriano, Joan B.. author Miravitlles, Marc author Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona author 2017 Existing data on COPD prevalence are limited or totally lacking in many regions of Europe. The geographic information system inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation technique has proved to be an effective tool in spatial distribution estimation of epidemiological variables, when real data are few and widely separated. Therefore, in order to represent cartographically the prevalence of COPD in Europe, an IDW interpolation mapping was performed. The point prevalence data provided by 62 studies from 19 countries (21 from 5 Northern European countries, 11 from 3 Western European countries, 14 from 5 Central European countries, and 16 from 6 Southern European countries) were identified using validated spirometric criteria. Despite the lack of data in many areas (including all regions of the eastern part of the continent), the IDW mapping predicted the COPD prevalence in the whole territory, even in extensive areas lacking real data. Although the quality of the data obtained from some studies may have some limitations related to different confounding factors, this methodology may be a suitable tool for obtaining epidemiological estimates that can enable us to better address this major public health problem. Epidemiology Geographic information system GIS Geographic Resources Analysis Support System Geographical distribution of COPD prevalence in Europe, estimated by an inverse distance weighting interpolation technique