Epideioloical data of chronic cor pulmonale in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Qinghai Plateau

Abstract

Objective To investigate the prevalence of chronic cor pulmonale (CCP) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Qinghai Plateau. Methods Using the questionaire of high risk group COPD the survey was performed to the 23 725 population aged over 15 years by random disproportional cluster sampling in Qinghai Plateau. The COPD was diagnosed by spirometry. The CCP were confirmed according to the national criteria (1980) by chest radiography and electrocardiography.Results There were 62 CCP patients in 159 cases with COPD, among them 45 cases were male and 17cases were female. The prevalence of CCP accounted for 0.26% and for 38. 99% of the patients with COPD. Distribution of CCP in Qinghai Plateau was that CCP prevalence of males was higher than that of the female (accounted for 72. 58%). It increased with years of age and went up topmost in 60~69 years old, The prevalence of CCP of farmers was highest in the urban dwellers, half-herdsmen, cadres and pastoralists. There was the characteristical that it cut down to follow altitude upgrade. The incidence of CCP in altitude 1 920-2 500 m area was 0.37%, that account for 82. 26% of the all CCP patients of Qinghai Plateau. Conclusions The prevalence of CCP in patients with COPD was low in Qinghai Plateau. Key words: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Chronic cor pulmonale; Epidemiology