Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and air pollution: The case of Morocco

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Available evidence suggests that air pollution is a factor associated with COPD. The present work aimed to review the epidemiological evidence for the effect of air pollution on COPD in Morocco. We conducted a literature search of the Scopus, Web of Science, Pub Med, and Google Scholar databases for published studies on the effect of air pollution on all respiratory diseases, including COPD. Any study on the effect of air pollution on the development or aggravation of respiratory diseases, published in English or French, was included in this review. Of the 1384 studies identified in the initial phase, eleven studies were eligible for inclusion in this review. Only two studies were found on the association between air pollution and the development of COPD in Morocco. The first study showed a significant association between the use of solid fuels for cooking and the development of COPD in Moroccan women. The second study revealed a statistically significant association between ambient air pollution by sulphur dioxide (SO2) and the risk of developing COPD. No research was found on the effect of air pollutants as a factor in the aggravation of COPD in affected individuals. The review has highlighted important research gaps regarding the effect of air pollution on COPD in Morocco. Therefore, future studies with long follow-up periods and precise and objective measurements of the effect of air pollutant exposure on the development or exacerbation of COPD on a national scale are certainly needed.