Source: Annual Congress 2002 - Prevalence and costs of COPD
Disease area: Airway diseases

Abstract

Introduction: The NICECOP (Northern Ireland Cost and Epidemiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) study is a two-stage survey of a general population sample in the greater Belfast area. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of airflow obstruction among a general population aged 70-80 in Northern Ireland. Methods: Questionnaires concerning respiratory symptoms were sent to 1996 subjects aged 70-80 randomly selected from the community in greater Belfast (41% male). Respondents were classified as "symptomatic" and "asymptomatic" depending on reported breathlessness. 365 respondents had a more detailed assessment including spirometry and reversibility to Β ₂ agonist. Airflow obstruction was diagnosed if FEV₁ < 80% predicted and FEV₁ / FVC ratio < 70%. Significant reversibility was present if FEV₁ increased by >15% and by at least 200ml after inhaled Β ₂ agonist. Results: 1186 completed the postal questionnaire (response rate 63%), 52% were symptomatic and 48% asymptomatic. 23.5% had a doctor diagnosis of obstructive lung disease. 365 subjects performed spirometry and of these 318(87%) performed spirometry to BTS standards. Airflow obstruction was present in 69(43%) symptomatic subjects and 27(17%) asymptomatics. Of those with airflow obstruction, significant reversibility was present in 15(22%) of symptomatic subjects and 9(33%) asymptomatic.The prevalence of airflow obstruction in the total population aged 70-80 was 30% (95%CI, 25-35%).Conclusion: Airflow obstruction is common in this elderly population and should be easily identified since the majority of subjects in this age group can perform spirometry. Supported by GlaxoSmithKline and EHSSB

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M. Magorrian, E. Murtagh, L. G. Heaney, J. Gingles, F. Kee, R. Shepherd, J. MacMahon (Belfast, United Kingdom). The prevalence of airflow obstruction among a general population sample of 70-80 year olds in Northern Ireland; the NICECOP study. Eur Respir J 2002; 20: Suppl. 38, 826

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