Frecuencia de síntomas respiratorios relacionados con Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica (EPOC) en la consulta externa de un hospital de Guayaquil.

Abstract

The frequency of respiratory symptoms in COPD is defined as the number of episodes occurring within a specific period; quantifying this is particularly indicated in cases of moderate, severe, or very severe COPD. Objective: To determine the frequency of respiratory symptoms associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) among outpatients at a hospital in Guayaquil. Methodology: Descriptive, quantitative, prospective study. Sample: 126 individuals seen in the outpatient clinic. Technique: Direct observation. Instrument: Ad-hoc survey and the "Could it be COPD" questionnaire for identifying suspected cases. Results: Sociodemographic data: 51.6% were aged 41–50, 58.7% were male, 88.9% had a high school education, and 29.4% had a personal history of pneumonia and bronchitis. Frequency of respiratory symptoms: 55.56% reported at least one symptom. Frequency of main risk factors: 10.3% exposed to biomass smoke, 17.5% with a family history of COPD, 4% with occupational exposure, 77% over age 40, and 33.3% current or former smokers. Respiratory symptoms: 30.2% occasionally experienced mucus or phlegm, 8.7% occasionally had a chronic cough, 30.2% occasionally experienced frequent respiratory infections, 3.2% had wheezing, 2.4% occasionally experienced weight loss, and 4% reported fatigue. 3.97% fell into the positive category, having answered "Yes" to more than three questions. Conclusions: More than half of the participants exhibited at least one respiratory symptom attributable to COPD, although the findings highlighted a low frequency of individual symptoms.