Abstract
COPD is known as a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. However, in France epidemiological data regarding COPD management in real life are scarce.
The objective of our study was to analyze COPD management by pulmonologists in an observational cohort with a follow-up of three years in South-West of France.
Pulmonologists included n=757 patients with COPD using a web-site questionnaire. Diagnosis of COPD was made using spirometry (FEV1/CVF<70% post bronchodilator). 68% of patients were men, 67 years old. 35% were still active-smokers. 15% had BMI lower than 21 kg/m2. 67% of the patients reported one or more exacerbations during the past 12 months. 44.9% of women had more than two exacerbations compared to 29.7% of men (p=0.0001). 25.9% was GOLD I, 49% GOLD II, 19.5% GOLD III, and 5.5% GOLD IV, with no gender difference. Cardio-vascular comorbidities (26% vs 16%), diabetes (16.8% vs 8.4%) and SAOS (24.7 % vs 10.5%) were significantly higher in men whereas anxiety–depression (37.8% vs 16%), past asthma (15.1%-9.4%) and osteoporosis (11.3% vs 1.4%) were higher in women. SAOS was significantly higher in GOLD I (30%), GOLD II(20.2%), (10% in GOLD III and 7% in GOLD IV) whereas cardio-vascular diseases, HTA and anxiety were higher in GOLD II-IV. Overweight (BMI>29 kg/m2) was higher in GOLD I-II (25% vs 12% in GOLD III-IV) whereas underweight was significantly higher in GOLD III-IV (22% vs 13% in GOLD I-II; p=0.0036).
In our cohort, comorbidities differ according to COPD severity, and gender. Follow-up of these patients will provide interesting information to compare real-life management and guidelines implementation.
Funding: Foundation of Bordeaux University, Novartis Pharma, Isis Medical.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015