[Possibility to screen COPD in emergency department].
BACKGROUND
The COPD is a stake of public health because of its prevalence in the world, its morbi-mortality and its considerable cost (2,2 billion euros/year in France). An early screening allows for a fast and effective intervention.


METHODS
The prospective study with in the emergency department of Roanne included smokers and ex-smokers, more than 10PY for the 40 years old and older, more than 20PY for the others, and/or symptomatic of COPD. Screening rested on a questionnaire filled out by the patient. Are excluded patients already diagnosed with COPD. This screening is carried out with the FEV1/FEV6. The criterion of principal judgment rests on the time taken for screening and acceptability by the patients.


RESULTS
One hundred and twenty-two patients were included, 6.5% refused screening. The average time of screening was 4.8 minutes. There were 27 positive patients with the FEV1/FEV6, 14 came to make the classic spirometry. Only 10.53% have a FEV1/FEV6<0.73. On the whole, 15.86% do not have a COPD, 75,25% are at the risk of COPD, 5,94% have a COPD stage 1, 1,98% are stage 2, 0.99% stage 3 and none stage 4.


CONCLUSIONS
The study thus showed that a screening of the COPD in the emergency rooms is possible because of the simple and reproductible process. Its shows, however its limits since the number of inclusion decrease during days of strong attendance in emergency rooms.


CONCLUSIONS
The screening of the COPD as foreseen in the study is possible.
Service des urgences, CH de Roanne, 42300 Roanne, France. michael.vial@laposte.net
M
M
Vial
P
P
Apelt
P
P
Cavalli
T
T
Guerin
P
P
Vercherin
J-M
JM
Vergnon
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult