Profile of COPD Patients Admitted for Acute Exacerbation at The Pulmonology Department of Fann, Dakar, Senegal

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic disease with episodes of acute worsening of respiratory symptoms beyond daily variations and leading to therapeutic modification, called acute exacerbations (AE). Knowledge of the characteristics of COPD patients with an exacerbation could contribute to their management. Methods: The data collected were entered and analyzed with SPSS version 20 and archived in order to safeguard confidentiality. The quantitative variables were compared with Student's Z or t law depending on their applicability. The comparison of qualitative variables was done using the chi-square or Fisher's test (as appropriate). A value of p < .05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The hospital prevalence of COPD PT was 4.13% over 17 months (May 1, 2016 to October 31, 2017). The mean annual number of exacerbations was 1.99+/- 0.68. Men had more COPD exacerbations than women. The number of exacerbations increased with age. Patients who lived near a high-traffic street had at least 2 exacerbations per year. Conclusion: Knowing the profile of patients who had AE will allow us to anticipate their prevention.