Introduction:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a frequent disease, preventable and treatable, characterized by long-term breathing problems and poor airflow, and caused by anomalies in the respiratory conducts, or alveolars, after continuous exposure to particles or harmful gases. Its approach must be integral. The pulmonary function exploration is made by reinforced spirometry and the results from post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC < 0.70 confirm the airflow limitation and the diagnoses.

Objective:

To determine, by spirometry, the pulmonary function of COPD's patience in Boyaca's central province.

Methodology:

Transversal study with a descriptive design. The sample's size was 337 COPD patients from 15 Boyaca's municipalities from the central province. Data were given by State Social Enterprises. A univariate analysis was carried out through measures of central tendency, averages, standard deviation, percentages, and confidence intervals.

Results:

Studied population was made of COPD patients, mostly women, with 72 years, 1,54 m, and 62 kg on average. 46% of patients reported a spirometry normal pattern and 33% an obstructive pattern of which 16% present a mild obstruction and 9% moderate and severe obstruction. Finally, 32% are COPDS diagnosed with reinforced spirometry.

Conclusion:

Studied population was COPD's diagnosed, but, from 280 patients who had spirometry, pre- and post-bronchodilator, (A, B, or C), only 33% had a mild obstructive pattern, followed by moderated and severe. That means, only that percentage confirmed COPD's diagnose, others had normal or restrictive obstruction patterns related to other pathologies. So, it can be confirmed the existence of a sub-register, because not all patients with COPD's symptoms already have the disease.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )