Publication: Prevalence of Respiratory Diseases According to Spirometry Findings Among Patients Attending the Spirometry Department of Dhulikhel Hospital
Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Spirometry is a standard test for screening and evaluation of patients with symptoms
of cough and shortness of breath. Despite its easy availability, low cost and ease of
performance it has not been widely used in clinical practice in Nepal.
Objective
To assess the prevalence of respiratory diseases in a regional referral centre in
patients referred for spirometry.
Method
This is a descriptive cross-sectional study including patients referred for spirometry to
the spirometry unit of Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital from 2014
July to 2015 October. The spirometry findings of the patients fulfilling the criteria
of American Thoracic Society/European Respitatory Society (ATS/ERS) guidelines
were analyzed and categorized as normal, having obstructive lung diseases including
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchial asthma or restrictive
lung disease. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software.
Result
Out of 821 patients, 755 patients (92%) fulfilled ATS/ERS criteria for satisfactory
spirometry. The prevalence of COPD was 31.4%, bronchial asthma 24.2% and
restrictive lung disease 8.1%. The mean age of patients diagnosed with COPD was
57.8±10.8 years; bronchial asthma 44.3±16.2 years; and restrictive lung disease
44.6±21.5 years. Both COPD and bronchial asthma were common in females. About
twenty two percent of the COPD patients were non-smokers and 86.3% of these
were females. The most common symptoms for referral was cough and shortness of
breath: these symptoms were more likely to be associated with abnormal spirometry
findings.
Conclusion
Spirometry is a crucial preliminary test for evaluation of patients with respiratory
symptoms. It should be used more frequently to help stratify patients for appropriate
treatment.
KEY WORDS
Bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, spirometry
Description
Prajapati BK,1 Pradhan S2
1Department of Medicine
2Department of Nursing
Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital
Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal
Keywords
Bronchial asthma, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Spirometry