EPIDEMIOLOGY OF OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE IN SHAHRE-KORD

Abstract

Introduction. There is no published data regarding prevalence of obstructive airway diseases in Iran. We have investigated the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in Shahre-kord to be compared with those in Europe and USA. Methods. Two thousands subjects (977 male and 1016 female) were selected by proportional random cluster sampling from Shahre-kord residents aged 1 to 87 years. They were interviewed to complete a respiratory questionnaire and those who were suspected to have airways disorders were invited for physical examinations and spirometry. Findings. The most frequently reported symptoms were: chronic cough (7/4 percent), wheeze ever in life time (5/5 percent), morning cough (6 percent), history of chronic bronchitis (1/8 percent), dyspnea associated with wheeze (3/2 percent), exertional dyspnea (2/9 percent). Cigarette smoking was less popular in our group than the Europ-American populations. Conclusion. Obstructive pulmonary disease are less prevalent in Shahre-kord than those reported in Europe and USA. This finding may be due to smoking habits and less polluted air in Shahre-kord.

Keywords

• Obstructive Pulmonry Disease, Prevalence, Epidemiologic Study, Iran