EPIDEMIOLOGY OF OUTPATIENTS WITH COPD

The objective of the study was to describe the epidemiology and assess the clinical features of outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A range of variables such as sociodemographic data, smoking status, and severity, symptoms, treatment, were collected using a structured questionnaire. 224 consecutive outpatients presenting at Dispensary of Tirana district over the two year period January 2011-January 2013 were included in the study. Seventy four percent of patients were men and 26% women (fig 1). The mean age of patients was 69 (11.4) years. Fifty seven percent of patients were current smokers and smoked a mean of 20 (5.7) cigarettes daily. COPD severity was mild in 24% of patients, moderate in 47% and severe in 29%. Severe disease was more common among men (42%) compared to women (18%) (p<0.01). Twelve percent of patients with very severe COPD smoked more than 20 cigarettes a day. The cough was the main reason for consultation in 81.2% of patients followed by expectoration (70.5%) and dyspnoea (63.1%). The mean frequency of visits was every 2.9 (±2.7) months. A total of 39.6% had visited an emergency care unit while 24.7% required hospitalization at least once, during the study period. The most commonly used drugs were long-acting b2-agonists (81%) and inhaled steroids (68%). Smoking cessation can significantly reduce COPD occurrence and improve the quality of life of the patients.