PREVALENCE AND DETERMINANTS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD) IN HIGH- RISK PATIENTS IN INDIA

Abstract

Background/Objective: Smoking is considered to be a high risk for COPD. In this study we made an attempt to assess prevalence and correlates of COPD in a high-risk population. Material and Method: A total of 200 smokers (having history of >100 cigarette/bidi use) aged 18 years or above were enrolled after excluding patients with myocardial disease, unstable cardiovascular status or pulmonary embolus, thoracic, abdominal, or cerebral aneurysms, eye surgery, acute disease affecting pulmonary functions or recent surgery of thorax/abdomen. Smoking history of patients was obtained and noted in terms of pack years, symptoms (cough, sputum, dyspnea, wheeze) were noted. All the patients underwent pulmonary function test assessment using spirometry. Diagnosis and staging of COPD was done using GOLD criteria. Independent samples‘t’- and Chi-square tests were used to compare the data. Results: Mean age of patients was 52.11±13.90 years. All were males. Mean BMI was 23.52±3.05 kg/m2. Mean smoking pack years was 14.51±8.87. A total of 57 (28.5%) were symptomatic. Cough (28.5%), sputum (22.5%) and dyspnoea (21%) were the most common symptoms. Prevalence of COPD was 34%. Stagewise, 8 (4%), 55 (27.5%) and 5 (2.5%) were Stage I, II and III patients. COPD was significantly associated with older age, higher pack years and symptomatic status (p<0.001). However, 17.6% of COPD patients were asymptomatic too. Conclusion: More than one-third of smokers had COPD. Older age, higher pack years and symptomatic state were significantly associated with COPD.