Characterization of respiratory function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Introduction: due to its heterogeneity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requires respiratory function tests to identify the degree of airflow obstruction.

Objective: to describe the characteristics of some respiratory clinical and functional variables in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted for acute exacerbations.

Methods: cross-sectional descriptive study of all 116 patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, admitted for acute exacerbations in the intermediate care unit of the Ciego de Ávila Hospital in the 2017-2019 triennium. All gave their written consent agreeing to participate in the research. Some epidemiological, clinical and respiratory functional variables were analyzed. Ethical principles were met.

Results: the disease predominated in male patients (57.76 %), in the group between 51 and 60 years (31.90 %) and in urban origin (66.00 %). 81.03% were smokers.

The exacerbator phenotype with emphysema prevailed (50.86 %). Severe exacerbations were the most prevalent (49.14%, especially in those over 61 years of age. Moderate (39.66 %) and severe (38.79 %) obstructive patterns predominated, also at the expense of those over 61 years.

Conclusions: the urban origin, the male sex and the smoking habit predominated in those studied. In those older than 61 years, a greater presentation of severe exacerbations was found. The respiratory function tests determined the obstructive pattern and the level of hypoxemia of each patient in the study, which facilitated accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.