An epidemiologic study on patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in emergency department

Today, epidemiological studies are of great importance for the organization of the disease at the community level, assessing the main risk factors of the disease, as well as the impact of the disease on individuals and society. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological features of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in an emergency department (ED) of one of the educational medical centers. This cross-sectional study was carried out during 6 months in Imam Hossein Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Sampling was performed via census method and all patients suffering from dyspnea referred to the ED, diagnosed as COPD based on clinical criteria and history, without age or sexual restriction were eligible. A checklist was used to collect baseline information and treatment measures administered in the ED. In addition, the length of hospital stay was also recorded. Of the 79345 patients refereed to the ED of the studied hospital, 87 cases (0.01%) were diagnosed with COPD, of which 62 cases (71.3%) were male and 47 cases (54.0%) were in the age range of 60-80 years old. The most common chief complaint in 48 patients (55.2%) was dyspnea. The duration of COPD diagnosis in 59 patients (67.8%) was less than 5 years. Also, 79 cases (90.8%) were under treatment, and 35 cases (40.2%) smoked more than 40 pack/year. The most commonly used drug in the ED was anticholinergic agents which was administered in 100% of the patients and beta-agonist inhalers were used in 98.9% of them. According to the results of this study, the prevalence of COPD was higher in men than in women. As with other chronic diseases, the prevalence of the disease has increased with age in both genders.