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Frequency of Acute Exacerbation of COPD Among Non-smokers in Tertiary Care Hospital of Bannu KPK-Pakistan

ABSTRACT 
Background: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is common disease with frequent exacerbations especially in winter season. Frequency of COPD exacerbation is more among smokers as compared to general public. Current study was done to evaluate the frequency of acute exacerbation of COPD among non-smokers. 
Methods: this cross-sectional descriptive study was performed at Department of medicine, DHQ hospital Bannu over a period of one year from 22-2-2021 to 22-2-2022. About 193   COPD patients aged 35 to 80 years were included in this study. Patients with other lung diseases like TB, pneumoconiosis, silicosis, pleural effusion, interstitial lung diseases, bronchiectasis and history of pneumonectomy were excluded from the study. Complete history including history of smoking, socio economic status and co morbidities was taken. Complete general physical and systemic examination including chest and cardiovascular examination was performed. Spirometry was done and findings were recorded. 
Results: Among 193 patients, 55.4% and 44.6% were male and female respectively. Mean age was 58.89 years ± 10.82 SD. Among these 193 patients, 88.1% were uneducated, 6.2%, 29.6%, 32.6% and 31.6% were presented with mild, moderate, severe and very severe COPD respectively. Among them, 22.3% patients were hypertensive, 14% were diabetic and 1.6% were having thyroid disease. Frequency of non-smoker (50.3%) was stratified on the basis of gender (p=0.01), age (p= 0.16), duration of COPD (p=0.001), educational status (p=0.03), spirometry findings (p=0.73), hypertension (p=0.41), diabetes mellitus (p=0.85) and thyroid diseases (p=0.55). 
Conclusion: Approximately half of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were non-smokers. Of these, females were more likely to be non-smokers than males.