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.
Neopane
A
A
KMC Teaching Hospital, Sinamangal, Kathmandu, Nepal. arunneopane@hotmail.com
Poudel
M
M
Pradhan
B
B
Regmi
S
S
Karki
D B
DB
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