Airflow limitation in patients with heart failure: Prevalence and associated factors.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure (HF) are 2 diseases with high morbidity and mortality. The coexistence of these two diseases is estimated to be frequent, but has been poorly studied.

Aim: To study the prevalence of airflow limitation in a sample of patients diagnosed with HF in follow-up in an HF unit and to assess their characteristics and comorbidities.

Methods: This is a prospective observational study. The patients who visited the HF Unit of the Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol between January 2014 and June 2015 were included consecutively. Respiratory functional tests were performed and clinical data were obtained.

Results: 118 patients were included in the study (age 67.2 years, 77.1% men). The prevalence of non-reversible airflow obstruction was 36.4%, with an underdiagnosis percentage of 67.4%. Patients with airflow limitation had an increase in comorbidities, but no worse prognosis.

Conclusion: The prevalence of airflow limitation in patients with HF is high, with a significant degree of underdiagnosis. It seems reasonable to recommend performing a screening spirometry in these patients.