The occurrence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in cigarette smoking families.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), one of the most common respiratory problems of adults, is caused in 90% by cigarette smoking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of occurrence of COPD among cigarette smokers and among the passive smokers living with them. The research group consisted of 190 families in which at least one person was a smoker. A total of 500 adults were included, among them 290 were active smokers and 210 were passive smokers. The questionnaire including demographic and smoking habit data was used in the research. Additional tests, like spirometry, allowed diagnosing COPD and chest X-ray allowed diagnosing emphysema. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was diagnosed in case of 46.4% of active smokers and 28.0% of passive smokers. Respiratory symptoms, such as cough, expectoration and dyspnoea, occurred more frequently among active than passive smokers (p < 0.001). Changes in respiratory system in chest X-ray and obturation in spirometry were noticed at 114 of passive smokers as a result of long lasting smoke inhaling. Members of the families in which there is more than one active smoker more often suffer from COPD, smoke ten cigarettes per 24 hours more and smoke ten years longer than members of the families in which there is only one active smoker. Active smokers are more frequently affected by COPD than ex-smokers and passive smokers. Members of families in which there are two active smokers more often suffer from COPD than those who have only one active smoker in the family. Spirometry should be a stable element of early COPD diagnosis at the family members of an active smoker.