EVALUATION OF CHEST X-RAY FINDINGS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AT A TERTIARY CARE CENTER
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Keywords
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Chest Radiography, Emphysema, Spirometry, Hyperinflation
Abstract
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) represents a major global health burden characterized by persistent airflow limitation. While spirometry remains the gold standard for diagnosis, chest radiography provides valuable complementary information for disease phenotyping and assessment. This study aimed to evaluate the spectrum of chest X-ray findings in COPD patients and correlate these with clinical and spirometric parameters.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Anwarpur, Uttar Pradesh, from March 2021 to August 2021. A total of 142 spirometrically confirmed COPD patients aged 40 years and above were enrolled using consecutive sampling. Detailed clinical history, spirometry, and standardized chest radiographs (posteroanterior and lateral views) were obtained. Radiographic findings were systematically evaluated and correlated with GOLD staging and spirometric parameters using appropriate statistical tests.
Results: The study population had mean age 62.4±9.8 years with 87.3% males. Hyperinflation was the most common radiographic finding (76.1%), followed by flattened diaphragm (67.6%), vascular pruning (54.9%), and bullae (36.6%). Only 9.9% had normal chest X-rays. Significant correlations existed between radiographic findings and COPD severity (p<0.001). Patients with hyperinflation had significantly lower FEV1% predicted (48.6% vs 68.4%, p<0.001) compared to those without. Progressive increase in radiographic abnormalities correlated with worsening GOLD stages.
Conclusion: Chest X-ray abnormalities are highly prevalent in COPD patients and correlate significantly with disease severity and spirometric impairment. Chest radiography remains a valuable complementary tool for COPD phenotyping and assessment alongside spirometry.
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Dr Mukesh Khatri
Assistant Professor, Department of Radio-Diagnosis, Saraswathi Institute of Medical Sciences, Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
