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Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia
ISSN: 1394-195X
Vol. 25, No. 3, 2018, pp. 78-87
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Bioline Code: mj18036
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol. 25, No. 3, 2018, pp. 78-87
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Assessing Airflow Limitation among Smokers in a Primary Care Setting
Kooi Yau, Chean; Rahim, Fairuz Fadzilah; Chin, Jiunn Sheng; Choi, Xin Ling; Liew, Kah Weng; Tan, Chia Chia; Tan, Kean Chye; Ooi, Siew Ting; Tan, Hong Jin & Ali, Irfhan Ali Hyder
Abstract
Background: Many smokers have undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD), and yet screening for COPD is not recommended. Smokers who know that they have
airflow limitation are more likely to quit smoking. This study aims to identify the prevalence and
predictors of airflow limitation among smokers in primary care.
Methods: Current smokers ≥ 40 years old who were asymptomatic clinic attendees in a
primary care setting were recruited consecutively for two months. We used a two-step strategy.
Step 1: participants filled in a questionnaire. Step 2: Assessment of airflow limitation using a
pocket spirometer. Multiple logistic regression was utilised to determine the best risk predictors
for airflow limitation.
Results: Three hundred participants were recruited. Mean age was 58.35 (SD 10.30) years
old and mean smoking history was 34.56 pack-years (SD 25.23). One in two smokers were found to
have airflow limitation; the predictors were Indian ethnicity, prolonged smoking pack-year history
and Lung Function Questionnaire score ≤ 18. Readiness to quit smoking and the awareness of
COPD were low.
Conclusions: The high prevalence of airflow limitation and low readiness to quit smoking
imply urgency with helping smokers to quit smoking. Identifying airflow limitation as an additional
motivator for smoking cessation intervention may be considered. A two-step case-finding method
is potentially feasible.
Keywords
airflow limitation; COPD; pocket spirometry; primary care; quit smoking; smokers
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