Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Eastern Black Sea Region: Characteristics of the Disease and the Frequency of Influenza-Pneumococcal Vaccination

Objective: To detect general characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients admitted to Chest Diseases Policlines of Hospitals in Eastern Black Sea Region and the frequency and predictors of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. Material and Methods: The study was carried out in the cities Trabzon, Giresun, Gumushane and Rize between December 1 2006 and March 31 2007. Patient data were collected via questionnaires distributed by Chest Physicians working in the cities mentioned above. Questionnaire forms including questions about demography and characteristic of COPD patients and also influenza/pneumococcal vaccination were filled by face to face interview method. Statistical analysis of data was performed using Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Two-hundred forty nine patients with a mean age of (+/- SD) 68.2 +/- 95 years were included into the study. COPD severity was graded as mild in 9.4% of patients, moderate in 42.3% and severe in 48.3% according to the GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) classification, and 25.0% of the patients were current smokers. Body mass index was low in %8.9, normal in %41.5, overweight in %33.1 and obese in %16.5 of the cases. The rate of patients having been vaccinated in the previous year was 33.3%, and the rate of pneumococcal vaccination at least once was 12%. Pneumococcal vaccination was found more frequent in severe COPD (FEV1 < %50) patients (p=0.002), however there was no relation between the severity of the disease and influenza vaccination. Influenza vaccination was less frequent in current smokers (p=0.011). Conclusion: Our study showed that influenza and pneumococcal vaccination among COPD patients were quite low, 1/4 of the patients were current smokers and nearly half of the cases were obese or overweight. In addition, our findings showed a negative effect of current smoking on influenza vaccination and a positive correlation between pneumococcal vaccination and COPD severity.