Undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in patients admitted to an acute assessment unit.
Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is very prevalent worldwide, yet underdiagnosed.Aim: This study investigates feasibility of performing spirometry in patients in need of acute hospital admission as well as the prevalence of undiagnosed COPD in the same cohort.Methods: During a two-week period, all patients admitted to three large acute assessment units were evaluated. Patients ≥ 18 years, able to perform spirometry, with no surgery to the thorax or abdomen within the last weeks and no known COPD was included. Patients with FEV1/FEV6 ≤ 0.7 or FEV1 < 80% or FEV6 < 80% were offered follow-up visit after 6 weeks.Results: Of the 1145 admitted patients, 46% were eligible: 28% of those had an abnormal spirometry. The offered follow-up visit was attended by 51% and in this group 17% were diagnosed with lung disease. COPD was the most prevalent diagnosis (73%), and 2/3 was in GOLD group A. In total, 75% of the patients with airflow obstruction at the initial examination remained obstructive.Conclusion: Performing spirometry in patients in need of acute hospital admission is feasible, abnormal findings are common, and COPD is the most prevalent diagnosis.
The Acute Assessment Unit, Aalborg University Hospital , Aalborg, Denmark.
Karin D
0000-0001-5736-353X
KD
Eikhof
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Naestved Hospital , Naestved, Denmark.
Kristine R
KR
Olsen
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Odense University Hospital , Odense, Denmark.
N C H
NC
Wrengler
Department of Respiratory Diseases, Aalborg University Hospital , Aalborg, Denmark.
Carl
C
Nielsen
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Naestved Hospital, Naestved, Denmark; Institute for Regional Health Research, University of Southern Odense, Denmark; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Odense, Denmark.
Uffe
0000-0002-1231-9209
U
Bodtger
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Odense University Hospital , Odense, Denmark.
Ingrid L
IL
Titlestad
Department of Respiratory Diseases, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; The Clinical Institute, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
Ulla M
0000-0003-1975-3654
UM
Weinreich
COPD; acute illness; obstructive lung disease; spirometry