Detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in primary health care: role of spirometry and respiratory symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of spirometry and respiratory symptoms in the detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in primary health care.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study.


METHODS
A primary health centre in Landskrona, southern Sweden.


METHODS
164 subjects who in 1992 had answered a postal questionnaire concerning obstructive pulmonary diseases and respiratory symptoms. They were aged 45-64 years, with a mean of 55 years.


METHODS
In 1997, the subjects were invited to perform a spirometry and a medical examination and to answer the same questionnaire as in 1992. Subjects with a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) < 85% of the predicted normal value performed reversibility tests.


RESULTS
131 subjects participated in the examinations. 15 subjects (11.5%) were diagnosed as having COPD. Only three of them had been previously diagnosed as having a respiratory disease. Many commonly occurring respiratory symptoms were associated with a reduction in FEV1.


CONCLUSIONS
Spirometry examinations in primary health care improve the probability of detecting COPD. A spirometry examination should be considered for patients with respiratory symptoms. It should also be considered for middle-aged smokers, even if they are symptom-free.
Nihlén
U
U
Department of Community Health Sciences, Lund University, Sweden.
Montnémery
P
P
Lindholm
L H
LH
Löfdahl
C G
CG
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000150:complications; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013147:Spirometry; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology