Correlation of Clinical Parameters with Spirometry Findings in Patients of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

ABSTRACT

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is major cause of mortality & morbidity all over the world significantly affecting Quality of life of all the affected individuals and it also causes economic as well as social burden on society. COPD at present is the 4th leading cause of death worldwide, and is suspected to become 3rd leading cause of death worldwide by 2020. COPD diagnosis is confirmed by post bronchodilator FEV1 / FVC ratio < 0.70. In the present study, we wanted to examine the relationship between the history, clinical indices and spirometry in patients of COPD. Methods: Study was done in the department of pulmonary medicine on 50 patients of COPD, randomly selected after taking inclusion and exclusion criteria under consideration. Results: >80% of the patients were in age group of 40-70 years and mean age of presentation was 57.6 years. Smoking was present as risk factor in 62%. Most of the patients (42%) were under GOLD stage 3 followed by stage 4 (36%), stage 2 (22%) and no patients in stage 1. Duration of illness among patients ranged from 1 month to 40 years, with a mean of 7.4 years. As per new GOLD 2019 grouping criteria, maximum participants were in group B (78%), followed by group D (20%) and group A (2%). 24 out of 50 patients were in 19-25 BMI (normal) group, followed by 20 patients under <19 (low BMI) group and then 6 in >25 BMI group. We found statistically significant correlations between FEV1/FVC ratio, MEF 25-75 and Age; between FVC and sexual difference;FEV1, FVC and MMRC Grading. Conclusion: PFT is an important tool for measuring degree of involvement of lung parenchyma in cases of COPD. It is affected by various factors, therefore a thorough history is important for assessment of level of involvement as well as for planning further management of patients.