Underestimation of respiratory symptoms by smokers: a thorn in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease diagnosis
Abstract Primary care centers are ideal positions to identify chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We determined the COPD prevalence among ever-smokers aged 40–65 years attending a 2-year program conducted in 22 Greek primary healthcare centers and made comparisons between genders, patients...
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| Autores principales: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Formato: | article |
| Lenguaje: | EN |
| Publicado: |
Nature Portfolio
2021
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://doaj.org/article/7954506343be455bbb3cd827af995ef1 |
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| Sumario: | Abstract Primary care centers are ideal positions to identify chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We determined the COPD prevalence among ever-smokers aged 40–65 years attending a 2-year program conducted in 22 Greek primary healthcare centers and made comparisons between genders, patients less than or greater than 55 years, and newly or previously diagnosed COPD patients. A total of 117 persons, after studying 1100 people, were diagnosed with previously unknown or known COPD, providing a COPD prevalence of 10.6% among the study population. In all, 7.5% of the participants were newly diagnosed with COPD. Women with COPD reported smoking less but experienced worse respiratory and depressive symptoms than men. A total of 19% of the COPD population below 55 years experienced wheezing and exacerbations more frequently than older patients. Newly diagnosed COPD patients were significantly younger, reported a significant burden of symptoms without seeking medical help. Primary health care has a crucial role in the early detection of COPD among unsuspecting smokers. |
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