Validation of COPD population screener (COPD-PS) questionnaire in a community-based setting of Nepal

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic condition characterized by progressive airflow obstruction that is not fully reversible. Despite being a treatable and preventable condition, COPD remains largely undiagnosed and untreated in low- and middle-income countries like Nepal. This study aims to assess the validity of the COPD population screener (COPD-PS) questionnaire in a community-based intervention in Nepal.MethodsA household survey was conducted among 1438 randomly selected individuals in a semiurban area of Pokhara Metropolitan City of Western Nepal. Participants were interviewed with a survey questionnaire, including COPD-PS. Trained enumerators conducted spirometry using a portable spirometer for the detection of COPD defined by fixed ratio (FR) criteria (FEV1/FVC<0.70 and symptoms) and lower limit of normal (LLN) criteria (FEV1/FVC<LLN and symptoms).ResultsThe prevalence of COPD was 8.5% (FR) and 5.4% (LLN). The ability of COPD-PS to discriminate individuals with and without COPD was good irrespective of COPD definition. The overall area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.860 (LLN) and 0.857 (FR). COPD-PS cut-off point of 4 resulted in sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of 84.4%, 73.5%, 15.3%, and 98.8%, respectively, according to LLN criteria and 82.8%, 75.3%, 23.7%, and 97.9%, respectively, according to FR criteria.Conclusion: This five-item easy-to-use COPD-PS questionnaire can be used in the screening of COPD in Nepal. Declaration of Interest None References and Clinical Trial Registry Information