Abstract
SubjectChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the health status of patients with newly diagnosed COPD. MethodsA total of 45 healthy controls and 218 patients with newly diagnosed COPD were recruited. Pulmonary function test (PFT) values, COPD assessment test (CAT) scores, exacerbation history, and demographics were recorded. ResultsForced expiratory volume in 1 s percent (FEV1%) predicted was significantly decreased and the CAT score was significantly increased in patients with COPD compared with healthy controls (P <0.001). Among the COPD patients, the most commonly reported respiratory symptoms were cough (86.7%), sputum (80.3%), and dyspnea (45%). A total of 86.2% patients were in the moderate or severe stage (spirometric classification) of COPD, and 71.5% were in Group C or Group D (combined assessment). A total of 33.9% of the patients had 2 or more exacerbations in the previous year. Nearly half of the patients (45.4%) had a high CAT score of ≥10. Patients with a history of more exacerbations had a higher CAT score. ConclusionsMost COPD patients were symptomatic and appeared to have moderate to severe airflow limitation or a high risk of exacerbation before definitely being diagnosed with COPD using the PFT.
Highlights
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality worldwide [1], and is predicted to become the third leading cause of death in the world by 2020 [2]
The COPD assessment test (CAT) is recommended for assessing symptoms, with a CAT score of ≥10 indicating a high level of symptoms
Forced expiratory volume in 1 s percent (FEV1%) predicted was significantly decreased and the CAT score was significantly increased in patients with COPD compared with healthy controls (P
Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality worldwide [1], and is predicted to become the third leading cause of death in the world by 2020 [2]. Detection and preventive measures may reduce both morbidity and mortality because COPD is a preventable and treatable disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation. The prevalence and under-diagnosis of COPD in adult patients in the primary care setting are high [5,6]. Many people have this disease for years, and die prematurely from it or its complications. Spirometry is the most objective measurement of airflow limitation to determine the severity of COPD. Exacerbations of COPD are important events in the course of the disease because they contribute to the overall severity in individual patients
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