Objective To investigate the first-diagnosed reporting rate and annual changing trends of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among adult residents in Changzhou City from 2020 to 2024, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of COPD in this region.

Methods Data on first-diagnosed cases of COPD from 2020 to 2024 were collected from the Changzhou Health Data Management Platform, along with resident population data stratified by age group and sex for the corresponding years. Stratified analyses were conducted by diagnosis year, sex, and age group to calculate crude first-diagnosed reporting rate and age-specific first-diagnosed reporting rate. The age-standardized first-diagnosed reporting rate (ASFDRR) was calculated using data from the Seventh National Population Census of China (2020) as the standard population. A logarithmic-linear model was employed to estimate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) in ASFDRR, along with its 95%CI and P-value.

Results From 2020 to 2024, a total of 12 925 first-diagnosed COPD cases of adult residents were reported in Changzhou City. The overall crude first-diagnosed reporting rate increased from 37.91/100 000 in 2020 to 100.68/100 000 in 2024. The overall ASFDRR rose from 116.83/100 000 in 2020 to 274.59/100 000 in 2024, with an AAPC of 26.55% (95%CI: 5.98%‒51.11%). Among these, 9 831 new cases were male, with the crude first-diagnosed reporting rate increasing from 57.07/100 000 to 159.29/100 000, and the ASFDRR increasing from 92.54/100 000 to 223.82 / 100 000, with an AAPC of 27.58% (95%CI: 6.21%‒53.26%). There were 3 094 new female cases, with the crude first-diagnosed reporting rate rising from 19.53/100 000 to 45.39/100 000, and the ASFDRR increasing from 26.01/100 000 to 55.33/100 000, with an AAPC of 22.90% (95%CI: 5.19%‒43.59%). Both crude and age-standardized first-diagnosed reporting rates of COPD for the total population and different gender groups showed a statistically significant upward trend as age increased (all P<0.05). The reporting peaks were primarily concentrated in the 80 years old age group.

Conclusion The age-standardized first-diagnosed reporting rate of COPD in Changzhou City exhibited a rapid upward trend from 2020 to 2024. ASFDRR was higher in males than that in females, and the elderly population constituted the main reported group. This trend warrants close attention, emphasizing the need to strengthen screening, early intervention, and standardized management for high-risk populations.