Study of Addiction in COPD Patients in Abbassia Chest Hospital

Abstract

Abstract Background and objectives Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is multi-factorial systemic disease that commonly associated with tobacco smoking, moreover, smoking cannabis substance become widely used. The aim of the study is determining the pattern of addiction pattern in patients with COPD, in addition to evaluating the impact of that substance in the disease course. Methods About 100 male patients with definite COPD diagnosis and history of regular substance abuse were enrolled in the study, all of them subjected to COPD assessment test (CAT) and addiction questionnaire. Results The mean age of the studied patients was (52.84 ± 10.21) years, and 15 % of them with overweight. Addiction with Hashish (cannabis) was the most prevalent among the studied groups (70%), while 3 and 2% of cases had used IV substance and Heroin respectively. The most predominant CAT score category were CAT score III and IV with frequency about 44% and 30% respectively. More than half of cases (52%) admitted to ICU because of substance abuse two times or more during the duration of the study. Conclusion The prevalence of Hashish (Cannabis) addiction was higher among COPD patients, and significantly associated with higher CAT score category, in addition to increase the frequency of repeated ICU admission with respiratory complication.