Características epidemiológicas de los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica atendidos en consulta externa del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso durante el periodo enero-diciembre 2019. Cuenca-Ecuador

Abstract

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a frequent, preventable and treatable pathology that approximately 64 million people suffer. It is important to know the epidemiological factors associated with this disease, in order to obtain clear statistics to take preventive measures against the most vulnerable population. In Ecuador there are not enough studies on the subject. Objective: to describe the epidemiological characteristics of COPD in adult patients who attended to the outpatient clinic of the Vicente Corral Moscoso Hospital (HVCM) during the period January-December 2019. Cuenca-Ecuador. Method: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out based on data obtained through the medical records of patients treated in outpatient clinics with a diagnosis of COPD in 2019. Statistical analysis was carried out in the Excel and SPSS program, the results were presented in simple tables. Results: a prevalence of COPD of 11.28% was identified. Most of the people studied are men (50.4%) over 65 years of age (86.9%) living in urban areas (59.1%) with elementary occupations (60.6%). 38.7% indicated that they were ex-smokers. The 45.3% are exposed to wood smoke for cooking or heating. Bronchitis was the most frequent pre-existing respiratory disease (25.5%). A total of 81.8% presented some comorbidity. Conclusions: in the present study, the majority of patients with COPD are men older than 65 years. The main risk factors correspond to exposure to wood smoke for cooking or heating and/or tobacco consumption.