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COPD underdiagnosed, undertreated
Respiratory Care Weekly, November 1, 2006
A new study suggests clinicians should be more aware of possible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients at risk for lung cancer. Researchers from the University of Alabama obtained the demographic, medical, and spirometric information of 449 subjects who smoked and were enrolled in the National Lung Screening Trial. In all, 53% had airway obstruction. Of the 34% of subjects who carried a diagnosis of COPD, only 18% were treated. Researchers concluded that, based on traditional teachings, significant airflow obstructions occurred more frequently than expected.
In the "it's never too late to quit" department, another study presented at the conference gives RTs more ammunition to use with their COPD patients who still smoke. A 12-year study of 538 smokers showed evidence that COPD patients who continue to smoke have the worst disease prognosis. Researchers from Illinois and Massachusetts categorized patients by smoking status, age, and gender. Participants were categorized as never smokers (16.1%), always smokers (42.5%), and intermittent smokers (37.6%). When stratified by smoking status, always smokers were shown more likely to have disease progression.
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