DIETARY ASSESSMENT OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE PATIENTS VISITING TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF LAHORE

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) is an aggravating and major health concern throughout the world. It is estimated that in upcoming years chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will be ranked
as third common reason of mortality and fifth common cause of disablement worldwide.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the dietary habits of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients visiting Tertiary Care Hospital of Lahore
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore for duration of 4 months.
Sample size of the study was 100, and non-probability convenient sampling technique was used for data
collection. SPSS version 21.0 was used for data analysis.
RESULTS: Results revealed that 60% of patients were male and 47% of them were smokers. 68% of patients were
from low socioeconomic class. Patients were not taking adequate amount of food; only 6% of patients were consuming milk daily. Consumption of fried food (52%), salty foods (55%) and cruciferous vegetables (62%) respectively worsen the symptoms of COPD.
CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that majority of the patients were from lower socioeconomic status. The main risk factors were smoking and living in highly polluted area. The diet of patients lacked in fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Majority of the patients were underweight. The presence of both environmental
factors and diet lacking in essential nutrients were the leading causes of the disease.