A clinical study of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in non-smokers attending a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) ranks third among the prime causes of death globally. To study the clinical profile of COPD in non-smokers. To identify the other risk factors (other than smoking) of COPD. Methodology: Data was collected meeting the objectives of the study with a pre-tested proforma. Detailed history was taken, clinical examination was done and necessary investigations were carried out. Continuous data was expressed as Mean + SD and categorical data was expressed as number and percentage (%). Results: In the present study it was observed that most of the non-smoker COPD patients belonged to older age group. In the present study the mean age of the patients was 55.06 + 8.87 years. study subjects 80 years were 0% females account for 68%, with a male to female ratio of 1: 2.125. Conclusions: In this study of COPD in non-smokers, females were predominant. Cough and sputum production were the most common clinical features. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure and biomass fuel usage were the most common risk factors. Most of the patients belonged to rural background. Most of the patients presented with less severe form of the disease. Keywords: COPD; Non-smoker; Cough; Biomass; Smoking.