CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE IN SMOKERS AND FORMER SMOKERS AT A HOSPITAL IN THE PROVINCE OF ICA, PERU

Abstract

Objective: To determine the characteristics of Cronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in smokers and former smokers treated at a Hospital in Ica province, Peru. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, retrospective, observational study. Through a non-probability sampling by convenience were selected 70smokersand70 former smokers. A direct interview was realized, collecting clinical characteristics as well as applying spirometric examination. Results: The 60% were male smokers; there were 54% of female former smokers. A severe degree of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 55% of smokers and formersmokers54% had a moderate degree. Hospitalizations experienced, 56% of smokers presenting chronic cough, informer smokers:36% due to cronic bronchitis and 30% with dysnea. Conclusions: more than 50% of smokers presented a severe degree of COPD and 54%offormer smokers presented a moderate degree of COPD. In both groups, hospitalizations had different pathologies, having in common chronic cough, chronic bronchitis and dysnea, smoking rate is moderate to severe.