The prevalence, clinical characteristics, and influencing factors of COPD progressed from PRISm: a cohort analysis in primary healthcare organizations in China

<bold>Background:</bold> Preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm), as a forced expiratory volume in the FEV1 of less than 80% predicted and a FEV1/FVC ratio of 0.70 or higher. Previous research has suggested that PRISm is a precursor of COPD. However, these progressive influencing risks of PRISm are unclear. We aimed to determine the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and influencing factors of COPD progressed from PRISm in primary healthcare organizations in China. <bold>Methods:</bold> We used data from the Enjoying Breathing Program between May 2020 and April 2022. PRISm population from 17 provinces (or equivalent) who met the inclusion criteria at baseline were retrospectively collected. <bold>Results:</bold> 1492 participants with PRISm were included. During the follow-up, 336 (22.52%) participants were progressed to COPD. The people in the COPD group are more likely to have the history of chronic bronchitis or emphysema than the PRISm group (47.02% vs. 36.51%). Moreover, the COPD people are more susceptible to comorbidity, the history of biological fuel (HR 1.289, 95% CI 1.025–1.615), the use of oral theophyllines (HR 0.372, 95% CI 0.231–0.598), and take medicine according to the prescription (HR 0.534, 95% CI 0.409–0.698) are significant influencing factors of the prevalence of COPD progressed from PRISm (all P<0.05). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> In primary healthcare organizations in China, the COPD population progressed from PRISm have severer symptoms and more comorbidities.