Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Smoking is the main risk factor for COPD, and it is estimated that 15-20% of smokers will develop the pathology. Characterising this risk population is an important step in improved diagnosis of COPD, an increasing primary care challenge.

AIMS:

To determine the percentage of smokers identified in patients aged 45-65 years old in a health centre, and their characterisation; to determine possible relationships between respiratory symptoms and abnormal obstruction of the small airways and the other variables studied.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Observational, analytical, cross-sectional study carried out in a Portuguese health centre.

POPULATION:

smokers aged 45-65 years old who filled in a questionnaire and underwent spirometry. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS v.13.0 (level of significance 0.05).

RESULTS:

The sample was composed of 157 participants (31% men and 69% womens); average age 53.85 years; average age at start of smoking 16.64 years; average tobacco consumption 37.78 pack-years. Respiratory symptoms were present in 68.8% of the individuals, and were more frequent in men, those who started smoking earlier and those with higher tobacco consumption (p<0.05). Thirty percent had abnormal obstruction of the small airways, with this more frequent in older smokers and those with heavier tobacco consumption (p<0.05).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

The underdiagnosis of smoking raises awareness of the importance of identifying this risk population and the need to implement preventative measures. These, in tandem with a better characterisation of this population, may contribute to the improved diagnosis and management of COPD.