[Early detection of COPD by high risk population spirometric screening]. / Wczesne wykrywanie POChP badaniem spirometrycznym grup wysokiego ryzyka.

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.

[Incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among chronic smokers inhabiting Krakow and Proszowice]. / Czestosc wystepowania przewleklej obturacyjnej choroby pluc wsród przewlekle palacych tyton mieszkanców Krakowa i Proszowic.

COPD is the most common chronic lung condition whose identification is delayed. This paper undertakes to identify the present COPD occurrence frequency in the urban area of Krakow and the rural area of Proszowice. It makes use of free of charge spirometry tests in > 40 year-old volunteers, with the smoking history of at least 1 pack of cigarettes per day for 10 years. One in four persons examined in Krakow and one in three persons examined in Proszowice manifested ventilation impairment mainly of the obturation type. Severe obturation was diagnosed in one in three persons with ventilation dysfunction. In the conclusion the vital influence of COPD on public health is stressed, which should prompt a serious programme of early COPD identification and treatment, on regional or national scale.

[Osteochondroplastic tracheobronchopathy]. / Tracheobronchopatia osteochondroplastyczna.

Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a benign disease, first described in 1855 and rather rare since. Only 371 cases have been reported so far. The disease is characterized by osseocartilaginous submucosal nodules projecting into the lumen of the trachea and bronchi. The mechanism of its occurrence remains controversial. Most cases are asymptomatic and frequently diagnosed incidentally during intubation, endoscopy or autopsy. The diagnosis is usually made on the basis of endoscopy, CT-scan and magnetic resonance. A history of a 79-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is presented. During bronchoscopy characteristic appearances for TO were observed. The diagnosis of TO was confirmed by histopathological examination of bronchial samples. Additionally, CT picture also suggested TO.