Management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Algeria and implementation of international recommendations

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease, yet it is often overlooked by the general public, patients themselves, and doctors due to its slow and insidious progression. Changing the natural history of COPD requires first of all the diagnosis of the disease, so its early detection seems an important element. It then becomes possible to set the objectives and criteria for the assessment of management and to choose the most appropriate treatments for each individual according to his characteristics. A prospective observational study in COPD patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Pneumology, University Hospital Center of Setif from January 2017 to March 2020 to analyze the quality of outpatient management of these patients. In all, 349 patients were included in the study of which 82.2% were men with an average age of 62 years. On admission, only 28.6% or 100 patients were diagnosed and confirmed to have COPD. The general practitioner received COPD patients first in more than 1/3 of cases (37.5%). Pneumologists received 34.6% of patients and diagnosed 99 cases out of 121 consultations, so the diagnosis was made in 81.8% of cases. Spirometry is essential for the diagnosis of COPD. It is simple, inexpensive, and safe; however, it was only performed for 100 patients or 28.6% of cases, confirming the sub-diagnosis of COPD in outpatients. In terms of therapeutic management, the differences between international recommendations and current practice are significant, particularly those concerning the prescription of inhaled or systemic corticosteroid therapy, as well as antibiotic therapy, without forgetting the underestimated therapies in these COPD patients, such as vaccinations (influenza vaccination rate at 27.2% of cases, pneumococcal at 8.26%), Long-term oxygen therapy, and the initiation of smoking cessation (4.1% of cases). The publication of recommendations reviewed by experts enables updating the diagnostic management of COPD. We can hope that the recommendations will be followed up and that practices will be harmonized. However, differences between international recommendations and current practice are significant for COPD patients. Early diagnosis and effective therapeutic management of COPD remain, particularly current issues; they would reduce disability and improve the quality of life of the patient.