[Screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by electronic mini-spirometry in general practice]

Area of Science:

• Respiratory Medicine
• Public Health
• Primary Care

Context:

• COPD screening is currently insufficient in primary care.
• Electronic mini-spirometers offer a practical solution for general practice.
• Identifying at-risk populations is crucial for early COPD detection.

Purpose:

• To assess COPD prevalence in at-risk general practice patients.
• To identify high-risk factors associated with COPD.
• To evaluate the utility of electronic mini-spirometry for COPD screening.

Summary:

• A cross-sectional study screened 273 at-risk patients (aged 40-75) using electronic mini-spirometry.
• COPD prevalence was 13.9%, with positive screening in 46.9% of eligible patients.
• High-risk factors included age >60, BMI >28, smoking history, clinical signs, and industrial exposure.

Impact:

• Demonstrates the feasibility of targeted COPD screening in general practice.
• Highlights electronic mini-spirometry as a reliable and cost-effective screening tool.
• Provides evidence for identifying patients who would benefit most from COPD screening.