Prevalence of bronchial obstruction in a tobacco smoke exposed population - the PNEUMOBIL project.
The use of spirometry is not yet widespread enough in chronic respiratory or at -risk patients whose diagnosis is incomplete. There is scarce knowledge and inadequate management of the burden of these diseases, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pneumobil, an initiative aimed at raising awareness among smokers and ex -smokers, was reactivated 10 years after its launch in Portugal. It found a large prevalence of bronchial obstruction as measured by spirometry (30% and 25% in men and women respectively) in a sample of 5324 smoke -exposed individuals, 50% current smokers, screened at state or business (private company group) health institutions. This risk is neither mainly attributable to occupational exposure nor mainly related to respiratory symptoms, which were very common in our population. Only dyspnoea (OR=1.28; p=0.02) and frequent episodes of sputum production (OR=1.21; p=0.008) or acute bronchitis (OR=1.31; p=0.05) were somewhat related to bronchial obstruction. Prior knowledge of COPD is rare and bronchial obstruction is not correlated (p=0.204) to a possible diagnosis of COPD.
Reis Ferreira
J M
JM
Pulmonology Specialist, Hospital Força Aérea. reis0ferreira@gmail.com
Matos
Maria João
MJ
Rodrigues
Fátima
F
Belo
Aurora
A
Brites
Hermínia
H
Cardoso
João
J
Simão
Paula
P
Dos Santos
J Moutinho
JM
Almeida
João
J
Gouveia
António
A
Bárbara
Cristina
C
D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution