DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i07.001

Pages: 2483-2490

Majority of patients with COPD don’t seek medical advice until they experience dyspnea interfering with their lifestyle. By that time, much of their lung capacity has been lost. This study aims to detect COPD in smokers at an asymptomatic stage by spirometry using GOLD criteria and to see if any symptoms are consistently associated with early COPD. The present study was conducted in 100 smokers of 40-70 years of age at the department of Tuberculosis and respiratory diseases, Government medical college, Amritsar. Out of 100 subjects, 13 (13%) were diagnosed as COPD , 16(16%) as restriction and 1(1%) as early small airway obstruction. Stage wise distribution of COPD cases – Stage I: 1(8%) , Stage II: 6(46%), stage III: 2(15%), Stage IV: 4(31%). COPD prevalence was found to be significantly higher in smokers, involved in occupations with exposure to chemical fumes and/or dust like in painters, powerloom workers, factory employees and in farmers.(32% in those exposed developed COPD as compared to 9% in those unexposed). 12(90%) of COPD patients were found to have any one of cough or breathlessness or their combination but it was a non specific finding reported in 54/87(62%) of Non COPD patients also. The study shows that spirometry can be used as an early screening tool in high risk patients. Thus large number of hidden COPD cases deserving medical attention thus detected, can be offered appropriate management and also prevented from slipping into much more grave stages of the disease at which treatment options are limited.