Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: is systematic screening necessary?

Objective: Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency is a relatively prevalent, but under-diagnosed, genetic disease. The objective of this study was to assess whether the systematic screening for alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency in all patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from a tertiary service has an impact on the number of patients being diagnosed with this condition.

Results: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients were screened for alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency using immunonephelometry.