A Cross-sectional study to findout the major etiological factor behind the upsurge and prevalence of copd cases in kashmir

COPD is projected to move from sixth to the third most common cause of death worldwide within next twenty years, whilst rising from fourth to third in terms of morbidity within the same time. The study was done with the objectives to study the major etiological factor behind upsurge & prevalence of COPD in Kashmir & to suggest early preventive steps for control of COPD. A community based cross sectional study was carried out to measure the prevalence of COPD in men and women greater than 45 years of age. The study was conducted purposively in South Kashmir’s Pulwama District in Jammu and Kashmir.The study was carried out in both rural and urban areas, with Main Town Pulwama representing the urban population & various villages of Pulwama representing the rural population. The multi-stage sampling was adopted for study with total of 100 study population (greater than 45years of age) was taken up for the study. The subjects were included, in the study only after obtaining their written consent. Questionnaire was set regarding the symptomatology of COPD like presence of cough, breathlessness, wheezing etc. The subjects who were positive for these symptoms did undergo x-ray chest and Spirometry. A total of 100 study subjects were diagnosed as having COPD Out of the total study population of 100; among the subjects most common symptom was cough present in 64.The Results indicated about 85% Pateint’s were smokers.The revelation of COPD should give an impetus to take remedial measures at the very outset; thereby playing a distinctive role in prevention. There is an increasing trend of developing smoking habits in both males and females after the age of puberty. This has given an increased population of COPD