Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease among Patients Visiting the Emergency Department of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross- sectional Study.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is characterised by persistent airflow limitation which is usually progressive and is the primary global cause of morbidity and mortality. It is the third leading cause of Years Lived with Disability, the second most common cause of death after ischemic heart disease, and the fourth most common cause of premature death. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among patients visiting the emergency department of a tertiary care centre.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done in the Department of Emergency Medicine of a tertiary care centre from 4 July 2022 to 11 July 2022. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 24). Data from 348 patients were collected from the hospital records. Convenience sampling method was used. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated.

Results: Among 348 patients visiting the emergency department, 23 (6.60%) (6.57-6.63%, 95% Confidence Interval) had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The mean age of these patients was 73.50±2.76 years.

Conclusions: The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was lower than in the previous studies done in similar settings. The study could provide a general idea of the burden of the disease.

Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; emergency departments; prevalence.