Introduction

A multicenter point prevalence study called as the Seasonal Waves Of Respiratory Disorders (SWORD) study was conducted across India on four days representing the seasons of the year.

Aims

The objective of our sub-analysis was to assess the data from the SWORD survey phase IV and calculate the burden of COPD presenting in outpatient department. The secondary aim was to assess the severity of COPD as per the global initiative for chronic lung disease GOLD 2023 guidelines and assess the risk factors predisposing to acute exacerbations.

Methods

The study was conducted in June 2018 across multiple outpatient respiratory services in India by practicing pulmonologists through questionnaires. The risk factors leading to acute exacerbation of COPD were estimated using Chi square test and logistic regression.

Results

Phase IV was conducted across 290 sites in India with 5311 patients presenting with respiratory diseases. There were 412 patients (7.7%) with COPD (326(79.1%) in A, 6(1.5%) in B and 80(19.4%) in E category as per GOLD 2023). Forty nine patients (11.9%) got admitted to the hospital due to an exacerbation during preceding 1 year. Risk factors associated with hospitalizations in the previous year due to COPD included previous history of smoking (Adjusted odds ratio 1.78,95%CI 1.01-3.14, p<0.05).

Conclusion

Almost 8% of patients of the respiratory outpatient comprised of COPD and 12% of them were hospitalized during the past one-year. This study shows distribution of A,B and E categories of GOLD in real world OPD patients across 290 centers in the India. It may provide useful data for health policy making in the country and beyond.