[Reliability of a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease diagnosis register in Primary Care]

One of main limitations in studies of COPD in health databases could be the low quality of the information. Our first aim was evaluate reliability of the registry of COPD diagnosis register in Primary Care. A description and comparison is also presented of the characteristics of the patients according to the diagnostic confirmation.

A cross-sectional study using healthcare databases of Cantabria. A pre-selected sample of 1,457 patients was obtained in which COPD diagnosis was specifically registered. COPD confirmation was classified into confirmed COPD, not confirmed-not rejected COPD, and diagnostic error (over-diagnosis). Descriptive and clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and treatments were collected in each group.

COPD was confirmed in 766 patients: 52.6% (95%CI: 49.9-55.2). Prevalence of over-diagnosis was 7.2% (95%CI: 5.9-8.6). There were statistically significant gender differences. In the COPD confirmed group age, tobacco consumption and severity according to FEV1 was higher. An average of 1.95 bronchial exacerbations during the last 4years was observed among diagnostic errors. Inhaled corticosteroids were prescribed in 74.9% of COPD confirmed patients, and in 41.9% of over-diagnosed patients.

The reliability of the COPD register was deficient, with only 52.6% with a confirmed diagnosis. Stable treatment for COPD was prescribed in all groups, highlighting the use of inhaled corticosteroids.