Abstract
Introduction The aim of this study was to determine patient-perceived characteristics of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in patients participating in a large trial evaluating tiotropium bromide. Patients and methods Baseline symptoms were assessed by means of a standardized questionnaire. Patients reported symptoms that led to diagnosis as well as their current most troublesome symptom. Results Data were obtained from 298 patients, mostly male (95 %), with mean (standard deviation) baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 1.1 (0.4) L (40.6 [13.3] % of predicted), mean disease duration of 14.4 (10.1) years and smoking history of 55.1 (25.3) pack-years. Dyspnoea was the most frequently reported symptom leading to COPD diagnosis (55.0 % of patients), followed by cough (33.2 %). Dyspnoea was also the current most troublesome symptom (82.6 %), followed by cough (8.4 %). The presence of dyspnoea or cough was independent of COPD severity. The most commonly reported co-morbidities were cardiovascular disorders (49 % of patients), gastrointestinal disorders (20 %) and metabolic disorders (16 %), mainly diabetes mellitus. Conclusions This analysis confirms the importance of dyspnoea as the most common symptom leading to initial COPD diagnosis and the symptom most troublesome to patients. Co-morbidities are common among COPD patients, and hence spirometric testing is appropriate in a patient who presents with dyspnoea associated with such a condition.
Translated title of the contribution | The importance of dyspnoea in the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – A descriptive analysis of a stable cohort in Portugal (SAFE Trial) |
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Original language | Portuguese |
Pages (from-to) | 131-138 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Revista Portuguesa de Pneumologia (English Edition) |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2011 |