Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Introduction: COPD is a substantially underdiagnosed disorder, with the diagnosis typically missed or delayed until the condition is advanced. Spirometry is the most frequently used pulmonary function test and enables health professionals to make an objective measurement of airflow obstruction and assess the degree to which it is reversible. Hence, the present study was planned to evaluate the role of spirometric screening in the early detection of COPD in chronic smokers, the high-risk Indian population. It was anticipated that the preliminary data thus generated would be useful in contribution in the field of spirometric screening for early detection of COPD in our country. Material and Methods: The present study was conducted among 400 smokers, active or ex with smoking index of 100 or more. The Spirometry test comprised of the estimation of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in first second (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC ratio. All COPD cases were referred for further management including smoking cessation assistance at departmental quit smoking clinic. The Chi-square Test was applied to find the statistical significance with p value of less than 0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results: The pulmonary function test  was performed by spirometry on 400 cases,148 subjects had normal spirometry, 122 had obstructive pattern, 121 restrictive pattern and 9 revealed mixed pattern. Among 122 subjects having obstructive pattern, only 61 patients were diagnosed as COPD cases. Out of 148 subjects with normal spirometry pattern, 105 subjects were at stage 0 COPD. Out of 400 subjects 15.2% were having COPD and 26.2% were at risk of development of COPD.105 subjects who were in stage 0 are those at risk of developing COPD of those diagnosed as COPD patients 3.9% were in stage I, 11.5% in stage II , 33 in stage III and 19 were in stage IV of COPD. Conclusion: It may be concluded that the endeavor for detection of COPD in its earlier stages using spirometric screening in the moderate or heavy smokers is highly rewarding and may be recommended in appropriate settings.
Keywords: COPD; Smokers; Spirometry

Corresponding author: Dr. Kiranjit, Associate Professor, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, GGS Medical College Faridkot, Punjab, India

This article may be cited as: Kiranjit, Janmeja AK, Saini VK., Pal H. Early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in smokers using spirometric screening.  J Adv Med Dent Scie Res 2017;5(4):10-14.