ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: COPD is the most frequent chronic lung disease in Poland. The disease is however under-diagnosed, especially at the early stages. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of spirometric screening for COPD in middle aged smokers. Informations on causes and symptoms of COPD were disseminated in mass media in 14 large cities. Subject aged over 39 and with smoking history of > 10 packyears were invited for a free spirometry in local chest clinic. However, everyone attending had the spirometry performed. Spirometry was performed according to ATS recommendations. Airway obstruction (AO) was diagnosed when FEV1/FVC < 85% of N and categorised as mild (FEV1 > 70% of N), moderate (FEV1 50-69% of N) or severe (FEV1 < 50% of N). Spirometry was accompanied by an antismoking advice. RESULTS: 12.781 subjects were screened (mean age 52 +/- 12 years, 57% males). In 8.269 subjects who complied with inclusion criteria AO was diagnosed in 29.8% (mild in 10.9%, moderate in 12% and severe in 6.9%). In smokers < 40 years of age and a history of < 10 packyears AO was found in 8.8% (mild in 6.0%, moderate in 1.8% and severe in 1.0%). CONCLUSION: Mass spirometry is an effective and easy method for early detection of COPD.
Subject(s)
Lung Diseases, Obstructive/diagnosis , Mass Screening/methods , Spirometry , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Airway Obstruction/diagnosis , Airway Obstruction/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Chronic Disease , Comorbidity , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Lung Diseases, Obstructive/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Poland/epidemiology , Smoking/epidemiologyABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the usefulness of spirometry as a screening test in the initial diagnosis of COPD in patients with chronic cough and exercise dyspnea. We encouraged people living in Lublin to the participation in this trial using local media. We examined 647 subjects, 329 (51%) females and 318 (49%) males between the ages of 14 and 89 years (average 55 y.). Among females there were: 73 smokers (22%), 51 former smokers (15%) and 205 non smokers (63%), among males respective numbers were: 112 (35.2%), 119 (37.4% and 87 (27.4%). 230 women (70%) and 230 men (72%) had clinical symptoms of COPD. The severity of bronchial obstruction was classified according to ERS recommendations. In females mild obstruction was found in 24 (7.3%), moderate in 80 (24.3%) and severe in 20(6.1%). In men mild obstruction was found in 15 subjects (4.7%), moderate in 80 (24.3%) and severe in 38 (11.9%). CONCLUSIONS: 1. Spirometry revealed that 35% of all examined subjects had an airway obstruction in majority of moderate and severe severity. 2. Spirometry is a very good and sensitive screening test in the diagnosis of COPD.
Subject(s)
Airway Obstruction/epidemiology , Lung Diseases, Obstructive/diagnosis , Lung Diseases, Obstructive/epidemiology , Mass Screening/methods , Spirometry , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Airway Obstruction/diagnosis , Chronic Disease , Comorbidity , Cough/epidemiology , Dyspnea/epidemiology , Exercise , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Poland/epidemiology , Smoking/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Accuracy of qualification to LTOT and the results of one year of treatment were assessed in 12 regional centres in Poland. 390 patients with advances respiratory failure entered the study. There were 305 patients with COPD and 85 patients with other chronic lung diseases. The accuracy of qualification to LTOT in Poland is satisfactory--2/3 of patients were accepted to treatment with severe hypoxaemia (PaO2 55 mm Hg), the remainder with moderate hypoxaemia (PaO2 = 56-65 mm Hg) and signs of tissue hypoxia. After one year of treatment 6.5% of patients did not need LTOT and 13% stopped to fulfill the single entry criterion still needing treatment.
