How common are hidden lung problems? A global review finds about 1 in 10 adults may have them.

You might think your lungs are fine if you don't have a classic breathing disease like COPD. But two other patterns on a breathing test—called PRISm and restrictive spirometry—are linked to a higher risk of dying, and we haven't known how common they are globally. A massive new review of data from over 1.1 million people across 31 countries gives us the first clear picture. It found that about 10.6% of people have PRISm, and about 12.1% have a restrictive pattern. Combined, that's roughly 1 in 10 adults walking around with one of these lung issues. The numbers aren't the same for everyone. Current smokers have a higher prevalence of PRISm than ex-smokers or non-smokers. The risk also climbs if you're older, have an extreme body weight, or have other health problems like asthma, diabetes, hypertension, or a history of stroke. The findings show these aren't rare quirks—they're widespread conditions tied to specific risks, which means doctors should consider them when checking lung health, especially in these higher-risk groups.