Characterisation of morbidity in a COPD hospital cohort

• Type: Article in National Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Duarte de Araujo, A (Author) Other; Teixeira, P (Author) Other; Hespanhol V (Author) FMUP; Correia de Sousa, J (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Pulmonology

ISSN: 2531-0429

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scopus - 4 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Q-NV8

DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2019.02.010

Abstract (EN): Objectives: To characterise the morbidity of COPD out-patients based on symptoms, acute exacerbations, FEV1 and comorbidities, and to explore the association between different patients' characteristics such as social, demographic, clinical history or exposure. Methods: Stable COPD outpatients over 40 years old diagnosed according to GOLD criteria were included consecutively; the exclusion criteria were only refusal to participate and inability to understand clinical questionnaires. A survey of demographic and clinical data was conducted. Symptoms were evaluated using the CAT and mMRC questionnaires. The number of COPD acute exacerbations reported in the previous year was assessed, and spirometry performed on all participants according to ATS/ERS recommendations. Different variables were collected and then related to each other. Results: We studied 303 COPD outpatients, all Caucasians, 79.5% males and mostly elderly. 65.7% of participants reported having low monthly income and 87.8% a low education level. Tobacco smoking was the most common exposure identified but a substantial proportion of COPD patients were non-smokers (26%). Frequent acute exacerbations were reported by 38.0% of patients. The mean post-bronchodilator FEV1 was 53.2%. The distribution of patients according to GOLD 2017 stage and classification was respectively 9.9%, 41.9%, 35.0% and 13.2% from 1 to 4 and 23.1%, 39.6%, 2.3% and 35.0% from GOLD A to D. Only 29 patients (9.5%) presented no comorbid conditions, and the most common were hypertension, heart diseases and dyslipidaemia. Conclusions: Our data confirms COPD as a complex and heterogeneous disorder, with a significant morbidity due to the nature of symptoms, frequent comorbidities and exacerbations. A substantial proportion of COPD patients were never-smokers, mainly women, calling attention to the need for COPD recognition in these cases. COPD in women, in never-smokers and in patients with a previous diagnosis of asthma presented some specific characteristics. Some patient characteristics are associated with frequent acute exacerbations. FEV1 was strongly related both to symptoms and exacerbations. (C) 2019 Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8