Assessing Airflow Limitation among Smokers in a Primary Care Setting
- Author:
Chean Kooi YAU
1
;
Irfhan Ali Hyder Ali
;
Fairuz Fadzilah RAHIM
;
Chin Jiunn SHENG
;
Choi Xin LING
;
Liew Kah WENG
;
Tan Chia CHIA
;
Tan Kean CHYE
;
Ooi Siew TING
;
Tan Hong JIN
Author Information
1. Department of Family Medicine, Penang Medical College, 4, Jalan Sepoy Lines, 10450 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
airflow limitation;
COPD;
pocket spirometry;
primary care;
quit smoking;
smokers
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
2018;25(3):78-87
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: Many smokers have undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), and yet screening for COPD is not recommended. Smokers who know that they haveairflow limitation are more likely to quit smoking. This study aims to identify the prevalence andpredictors of airflow limitation among smokers in primary care.Methods: Current smokers ≥ 40 years old who were asymptomatic clinic attendees in aprimary care setting were recruited consecutively for two months. We used a two-step strategy.Step 1: participants filled in a questionnaire. Step 2: Assessment of airflow limitation using apocket spirometer. Multiple logistic regression was utilised to determine the best risk predictorsfor airflow limitation.Results: Three hundred participants were recruited. Mean age was 58.35 (SD 10.30) yearsold and mean smoking history was 34.56 pack-years (SD 25.23). One in two smokers were found tohave airflow limitation; the predictors were Indian ethnicity, prolonged smoking pack-year historyand Lung Function Questionnaire score ≤ 18. Readiness to quit smoking and the awareness ofCOPD were low.Conclusions: The high prevalence of airflow limitation and low readiness to quit smokingimply urgency with helping smokers to quit smoking. Identifying airflow limitation as an additionalmotivator for smoking cessation intervention may be considered. A two-step case-finding methodis potentially feasible.
