Spirometry in evaluation of respiratory diseases.
A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2005 to April 2006 to evaluate the distribution of various respiratory diseases by spirometry. A total of 228 consecutive cases referred for spirometry were included of which 65% were male and 35% female. COPD was the commonest referral diagnosis (40%) followed by the diagnosis of shortness of breath (22%). After spirometry the prevalence of COPD was 42%, Asthma 23.5%, Restrictive disease 3.1% and mixed obstructive and restrictive disease 3.5%. 25% of the sample population was smokers and 22% ex-smokers. Hence we conclude that spirometry is a very useful diagnostic tool for preliminary diagnosis of respiratory diseases and should be used more by general practitioners and physicians to make their diagnosis and therapy more scientific.
KMC Teaching Hospital, Sinamangal, Kathmandu, Nepal. arunneopane@hotmail.com
A
A
Neopane
M
M
Poudel
B
B
Pradhan
S
S
Regmi
D B
DB
Karki
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013147:Spirometry