Low body mass index, airflow obstruction, and dyspnoea in a primary care COPD patient population

Abstract

Aim: The objective of our study was to explore the existence/co-existence of factors as per American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) standards - for staging patients in a primary care COPD population. Method: A representative sample of COPD patients in primary care was studied. Cross-sectional information on airflow obstruction, body mass index (BMI), and dyspnoea (Modified Medical Research Council [MMRC] score) were collected. The existence/co-existence of these prognostic factors is described. Results: The study sample consisted of 2,023 patients. BMI was low in 11.7%, MMRC score ≥ 2 was found in 28.7%, and 53.9% fulfilled the criteria of relevant airflow obstruction. Only 3.4% of this population scored on all three prognostic factors. Conclusion: Moderate dyspnoea and moderate airflow obstruction were rather prevalent in this primary care population, but coexistence of factors was low. Therefore, it seems that the assessment of BMI and dyspnoea represent additional information on primary care COPD patients.