Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in asymptomatic smokers
Post date: Nov 7, 2015 7:36:42 AM
Two thousand nine hundred and sixty-one smokers with a cumulative consumption history of at least 10 pack-years, either smokers with symptoms or smokers without symptoms (WOS) were invited to perform a spirometry and complete a symptom questionnaire.
Prevalence of COPD in asymptomatic smokers is 1.5%. This number of asymptomatic smokers may be excluded from the benefit of an “early” intervention, not just pharmacological but also from smoking cessation counselling. The higher forced expiratory volume in 1 second may contribute to prevent early diagnosis.