52 KB115 KB28 KB192920262008Devčić, BorisGržetić-Romčević, TanjaŠonc, SilvanaTerčelj-Zorman, Marjetaštevilka:26 straniletnik:77str. 111-116ISSN:1318-0347COBISSID:23993305URN:URN:NBN:SI:doc-Q14AAUUOslSlovensko zdravniško društvoZdravniški vestnikdiagnostikakajenjekronična obstruktivna pljučna bolezenpljučne boleznispirometrijaPomen zgodnjega odkrivanja kronične obstruktivne pljučne bolezni| The importance of early detection of COPD|The prevalence of COPD in the Slovenian population is unknown. The aim of thisinvestigation was to determine the usefulness of spirometric screening forearly detection of COPD. Our study was performed from 1st January 2004 to 30th June 2006 on 476 randomly selected individuals, from the population of 12, 002 inhabitants of Sežana, which is a semiurban region of Slovenia. The selected subjects were above 40 years of age (252,females and 224 males). The diagnosis of COPD was made using clinical and spirometric data. The participants completed a questionnaire and a spirometry was performed pre- andpostbronchodilation. Subjects with FEV*/FVC < 0. 70 were defined as having COPD (GOLD guidelines). The prevalence of COPD in the group investigated was 9.8 % (4 % among, females and 16.5 among males). Among smokers the prevalence was 18.8 % as compared to non-smokers with 2.9%. Smoking intensity and higher age were related to a higher prevalence among females as well as males. A highproportion of those diagnosed with mild COPD (82%) were unaware of having the disease. Conclusions The results suggest that spirometry screening is useful to detect early forms of COPD and that COPD is still poorly recognised in Slovenia. In our opinion, spirometry should be used routinely in primary care in individuals at risk for COPDTEXTznanstveno časopisjejournalsSlovenian National E-content AggregatorNational and University Library of SloveniaSlovensko zdravniško društvo