CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE(COPD): PATHOPHYSILOGY, DIAGNOSIS, AND MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Background: COPD is among the serious public health threats especially resulting from smoking and air pollution. Generally defined by prolonged limitation of airflow and episodes of worsening symptoms, COPD greatly affects life quality. Knowledge of its pathophysiology, diagnostic approach, early recognition, and appropriate management are essential to optimizing patient prognosis and minimizing the costs of treatment.
Objectives: The study of this investigation are to analyse the clinical profiles of COPD patients, identifying modifiable risk factors, and to assess the effectiveness of current diagnostic and treatment approaches to enhance the COPD population quality of life.
Study design:  A Retrospective Cohort Study.
Place and duration of study: pulmonology MTI lady reading hospital Peshawar from jan 2021 to july 2021
Methods: An observational study, retrospective cohort design was used and subjects consisted of one hundred and two thousand COPD outpatients in a tertiary care hospital. Elderly bronchial asthma patients’ demographic data, clinical history, spirometry, and treatment database data were retrieved. Descriptive analysis such as mean standard deviation and p value were used to determine the significance of the trends observed PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS A total of eleven patients from eight families were recruited into the study. Spirometry which showed the mean Forced Expiratory Volume in one second/ Forced Vital Capacity less than 0.7 among the confirmed patients. In treatment outcomes, patients were assessed using symptoms scores and, in those with lung functions tests, by changes from baseline in their pulmonary functions.
Results: In all 200 patients: mean age was 62.4 years (SD: ±7.8), 68% were male, and 80% had a smoking background. Spirometry showed a mean FEV1 of 52.6% predicted (SD: ±11.2). Lung function was significantly higher in ex-smokers (p < 0.01) than in active smokers. Patients on inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators had highly significant improvement in symptoms (p < .05). There were fewer exacerbation rates with smoking cessation counseling (p < 0.01). Oxygen therapy also shortened the mean days of hospitalization by 3 days (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: COPD is characteristically prevalent in elderly patients who are, or were, smokers. Spirometry shows encouraging results when done at an early stage, a proper management that entails pharmacological treatment and other intervention like smoking cessation also boost up the results. It also underscores the need to integrate COPD care models to reduce this disease related burden and improve the quality of life of such patients.