Abstract

SOARES, Sandra; COSTA, Isabel; NEVES, Ana Luísa  and  COUTO, Luciana. Characterisation of a population at increased risk of COPD. Rev Port Pneumol [online]. 2010, vol.16, n.2, pp.237-252. ISSN 0873-2159.

Introduction: Smoking is the main risk factor for COPD, and it is estimated that 15-20% of smokers will develop the pathology. Characterising this risk population is an important step in improved diagnosis of COPD, an increasing primary care challenge. Aims: To determine the percentage of smokers identified in patients aged 45-65 years old in a health centre, and their characterisation; to determine possible relationships between respiratory symptoms and abnormal obstruction of the small airways and the other variables studied. Material and methods: Observational, analytical, cross-sectional study carried out in a Portuguese health centre. Population: smokers aged 45-65 years old who filled in a questionnaire and underwent spirometry. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS v.13.0 (level of significance 0.05). Results: The sample was composed of 157 participants (31% ♀ and 69% ♂); average age 53.85 years; average age at start of smoking 16.64 years; average tobacco consumption 37.78 pack-years. Respiratory symptoms were present in 68.8% of the individuals, and were more frequent in men, those who started smoking earlier and those with higher tobacco consumption (p < 0.05). Thirty percent had abnormal obstruction of the small airways, with this more frequent in older smokers and those with heavier tobacco consumption (p < 0.05). Discussion and conclusions: The underdiagnosis of smoking raises awareness of the importance of identifying this risk population and the need to implement preventative measures. These, in tandem with a better characterisation of this population, may contribute to the improved diagnosis and management of COPD.

Keywords : Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; smoking; primary care.

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