DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i04.050

Pages: 1393-1396

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (GOLD) has recommended spirometry as the gold standard for diagnosis of COPD in symptomatic individuals through spirometric testing that demonstrates irreversible airflow obstruction. Spirometry for case-finding diagnosis of all adults with persistent respiratory symptoms or having a history of exposure to pulmonary risk factors has been recommended in primary care settings for all current and former smokers who have persistent respiratory symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of spirometry for diagnosis of COPD and assessment of its severity. A total of 50 subjects with pre-bronchodilator air flow obstruction underwent reversibility testing. Of these, 40 (80%) subjects had persistent airflow obstruction while 10 (20%) were no longer obstructed. For COPD patients, the Mean ± SD age was 58 ± 11 yrs. Of which 21 were current smokers; and the remaining 13 were ex-smokers. The Mean ± SD cigarettes smoked were 42 ± 29 pack-yrs. The Mean ± SD FEV1 was 1.35 ± 0.52 L (55 ± 17% of predicted) and Mean ± SD FEV1/FVC ratio was 0.55 ± 0.09 in these patients. These patients were classified according to GOLD classification in which 18 patients had severe, 11 patients had moderate, and 2 patients had mild and very severe COPD. Spirometry in addition to clinical examination improves COPD diagnostic accuracy compared to clinical examination alone and it is a useful diagnostic tool in individuals with symptoms suggestive of possible COPD.