Prevalence of airflow obstruction in patients attending a rapid access chest pain clinic.
BACKGROUND
Many UK hospitals have set-up specialised chest pain clinics to deal promptly and efficiently with cases of possible cardiac chest pain. It is possible that a proportion of patients attending these clinics will have a respiratory cause for their chest pain, or respiratory disease in addition to their cardiac pain. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of airflow obstruction, ischaemic heart disease and dual pathology in such patients.


METHODS
Spirometry was performed on patients referred to a rapid access chest pain clinic over a 12-month period (target population of 400 patients). The main outcome measure was the prevalence of airflow obstruction (defined using spirometry), ischaemic heart disease and dual pathology.


RESULTS
405 subjects participated in the study. Abnormal spirometry was detected in 21% of patients (n=85). Airflow obstruction was the predominant lung function abnormality and was detected in 60 patients. Ischaemic heart disease was diagnosed in 21% of patients (n=85). Dual pathology was found in 4% of patients (n=17).


CONCLUSIONS
Previous studies have reported a link between impaired lung function and future cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study suggests that airflow obstruction is an important alternative differential diagnosis in patients referred to a rapid access chest pain clinic. The identification of abnormal spirometry may help to better risk-stratify patients for future cardiovascular events and allow interventions to be instituted.
Francis
Helen C
HC
North West Lung Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Southmoor Road, Manchester M23 9LT, UK. Helen.c.francis@manchester.ac.uk
Colecliffe
Wendy
W
Hazell
Michelle L
ML
Singh
Dave
D
Niven
Robert
R
Hagan
Gerry W
GW
Spencer
Michael D
MD
Frank
Timothy L
TL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018710:Pain Clinics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055815:Young Adult