Research article summary (published 17 Oct 2009):

[Walk-in spirometry pilot project for discovering of early chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

(Walk-in-spirometri-pilotundersøgelse til tidlig opsporing af kronisk obstruktiv lungesygdom.)

Full Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In Denmark, 10% of the health budget is spent on treating chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and the economic burden from COPD looks more than likely to grow in the near future. With this in mind we initiated a pilot project with The Danish Lung association to discover early stages of COPD by using spirometry. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 344 persons from Aarhus and the surrounding area participated in a free anonymous walk-in spirometry project in the Health Centre, Aarhus. Among these, 291 persons were asked to fill in a questionnaire. A total of 135 smokers and/or persons with reduced lung function came to a second examination with yet another spirometry measurement and an advanced questionnaire. COPD staging was performed according to the GOLD and ERS/ATS criteria. RESULTS: 61% of the participants were women aged 60 years or older. 43% had normal lung function at the first examination. Only every fourth of those with COPD were aware of the fact that they had a lung disease. 33% would have visited their GP to have their lungs examined. 11-16% gave up smoking between the two examinations. CONCLUSION: This rather cost-effective walk-in design makes it possible to discover a substantial group of persons with previously unknown, mild and moderate COPD prior to examination and at the same time motivate people to give up smoking. Whether this is a long-term effect has yet to be determined.

Author information

Author/s: Løkke, Anders (A); Christensen, Lotte Bloch (LB); Fuglsang, Charlotte (C);

Affiliation: Medicinsk Afdeling, Regionshospitalet Silkeborg, DK-8600 Silkeborg, Denmark. aloekke(-atsign-)gmail.com

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: English Abstract; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Ugeskrift for laeger (Ugeskr Laeger), published in Denmark. (Language: dan)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 171 (issue 43) : pp 3083-8

Dates: Created 2009/10/26; Completed 2009/11/02;

PMID: 19852895, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/2/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Aged Cost of Illness Cost-Benefit Analysis Denmark Early Diagnosis Female Forced Expiratory Volume Health Care Costs

Humans Male Middle Aged Pilot Projects Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - diagnosis; economics Questionnaires Smoking - adverse effects Smoking Cessation Spirometry - methods

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