Assessment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in rural women

Abstract

COPD is now recognized as a common disease in developing countries. Biomass smoke exposure, is the biggest risk factor for COPD in women, however the awareness of COPD in non-smoking women is low. COPD is one of the fastest growing causes of death. Seventy-five percent of rural households reported firewood as their primary cooking fuel as compared to only 22% of urban households. Pulmonary function tests are essential for the diagnosis and evaluation of the severity of COPD but other measures of functional status are important; these include assessment of dyspnea, exercise performance and health status. The COPD assessment test (CAT) is a new eight-item specific questionnaire and is intended to provide a short, simple and self-administered test. Objective: To compare the use of CAT scores and flow volume loop as a screening tool in COPD women. Methods: A total of 50 healthy controls and 200 patients with newly diagnosed COPD were recruited. Pulmonary function test (PFT) values, COPD assessment test (CAT) scores, and demographics were recorded. Results: More than half of the patients (83%) had a high CAT score of ⩾10. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s percent (FEV1%) predicted was significantly decreased and the CAT score was significantly increased in patients with COPD compared with healthy controls (r = −.598, p = .000). A positive correlation was seen between biomass duration and the CAT score (p = .000). Conclusion: Most COPD patients have a poor health status and have a history of chronic symptoms before definitely being diagnosed with COPD by spirometry.

Keywords

• CAT questionnaire
• COPD
• Rural women