title: Characterisation of a population at increased risk of COPD.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Smoking is the main risk factor for COPD, and it is estimated that 15-20% of smokers will develop the pathology. Characterising this risk population is an important step in improved diagnosis of COPD, an increasing primary care challenge.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the percentage of smokers identified in patients aged 45-65 years old in a health centre, and their characterisation; to determine possible relationships between respiratory symptoms and abnormal obstruction of the small airways and the other variables studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational, analytical, cross-sectional study carried out in a Portuguese health centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  smokers aged 45-65 years old who filled in a questionnaire and underwent spirometry. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS v.13.0 (level of significance 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample was composed of 157 participants (31% men and 69% womens); average age 53.85 years; average age at start of smoking 16.64 years; average tobacco consumption 37.78 pack-years. Respiratory symptoms were present in 68.8% of the individuals, and were more frequent in men, those who started smoking earlier and those with higher tobacco consumption (p<0.05). Thirty percent had abnormal obstruction of the small airways, with this more frequent in older smokers and those with heavier tobacco consumption (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The underdiagnosis of smoking raises awareness of the importance of identifying this risk population and the need to implement preventative measures. These, in tandem with a better characterisation of this population, may contribute to the improved diagnosis and management of COPD.
authors.affiliation: Internato Médico de Medicina Geral e Familiar/Resident, General Practice.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Ana Luísa
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Neves
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Couto
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology*