What are the most common respiratory diseases encountered in clinical practice? Results of a pilot study in 737 Indian patients

Background: We have previously reported that respiratory diseases are the most common diseases for which patients visit doctors in India. A better understanding of respiratory disease pattern and respiratory symptoms will help determine appropriate health care management strategies and set up necessary health care services. This pilot study was aimed to investigate respiratory symptoms and the most common respiratory diseases for which patients visit doctors in India. Method: A total of 1560 Pulmonologists, Intensivists and Pediatricians from our database were invited to participate in this 7-day study across India. The study questionnaire based on ICD-10 classification captured patients9 demographics, smoking and biomass exposure history and respiratory symptoms and disease diagnoses. 10 doctors consented, completed and provided data of 737 patients of respiratory diseases. Simple descriptive analysis was performed. Results: 63% patients (mean age 43.6 ± 18.5 yrs; M: 58.9%) presented to the doctors for chronic respiratory diseases (CRD). The most common CRDs were Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (29.6%), Tuberculosis (TB) (23%), Asthma (22.5%) and Allergic Rhinitis (8.4%). Conclusion: Chronic respiratory diseases namely COPD, Asthma, Tuberculosis and Allergic Rhinitis, are the most common reasons for a doctor visit by patients with Respiratory diseases.