Disease history of patients with COPD

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study aimed to obtain real-life data of patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at least one year ago, including smoking history, inhaler device training, and the number of exacerbations. METHODS: This study was planned as a nationwide, prospective, observational, multicenter, and noninterventional study, and web-based electronic case forms were used to register the patients. RESULTS: A total of 460 patients from 11 centers were included, of whom 88.3% were males. Of the total patients, 137 (29.8%) were current smokers, and 292 (63.5%) were ex-smokers. One hundred twenty-four (29.6%) patients did not receive inhaler device training. Repeated inhaler device training in the follow-up visits was not performed in 255 (60.8%) patients. Of the total participants, 187 (41.0%) reported no exacerbations in the previous year. The mean number of exacerbations per person over the previous year was 1.19. The annual rates of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines were 34.8% and 4.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients should be trained more efficiently in the risks of COPD, use of inhaler devices, exacerbations, and improving quality of life.