SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Abstract

Introduction. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common respiratory diseases. However, it remains significantly unrecognized and undiagnosed in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with newly diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a population aged ≥ 40.

Materials and Methods. A one-year cross-sectional study was conducted in a family medicine practice in Skopje, including individuals aged 40 to 75 years without respiratory complaints. Sociodemographic questionnaires and six screening tests for COPD were evaluated. COPD diagnosis is established by spirometry, defined as a postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio <0,70.

Results. The total number of participants was 175, of which 18 participants (9%) had newly diagnosed COPD. These participants were significantly older (p=0.003), male (p=0.03), with a low level of education (p=0.008), mainly workers (p=0.045), heavy smokers ≥30 pack/years (p=0.0007), or were exposed to biomass fuels (p=0.036). Tuberculosis (p=0.028), arterial hypertension (p=0.045), family history of respiratory disease (p=0.0135), chronic respiratory disease in childhood (p=0.001) and one lower respiratory tract infection in the last year (p=0.0447) were identified as significant risk factors for COPD.

Conclusion. A considerable proportion (9%) of asymptomatic adults aged ≥40 years had previously undiagnosed COPD. Older age, male sex, lower level of education, heavy smoking, biomass exposure, tuberculosis, hypertension, family history of respiratory disease, and recurrent childhood infections were significantly associated with newly diagnosed COPD.