Alterações pulmonares espirométricas e tomográficas após exposição à fumaça da combustão de lenha ; Spirometry and tomography pulmonary changes after exposure to smoke from de burning of wood

Introduction: Exposure to smoke from wood combustion contributes significantly to the prevalence of COPD in many countries. Findings from studies in other countries are not fully applicable to Brazil due to the diversity of vegetation used as firewood, the almost exclusive use of firewood for cooking, and limited use of other types of biomass in Brazil. The importance of high-resolution computed thorax tomography (HRCT) as an adjuvant tool to complement spirometry for COPD diagnosis has increased and studies of diseases caused by wood smoke are still scarce. Objectives: Identify women with COPD and a history of wood smoke exposure and to characterize this group in terms of exposure and clinically, demographically, spirometrically and tomographically. Particularly in regard to tomography, the goal was to add to the limited literature on this subject, both in Brazil and internationally. Methods: One hundred sixty female non-smokers exposed to smoke from burning wood and 31 normal controls with no history of exposure to wood smoke were included in the study. Through a validated questionnaire, demographic and clinical data (respiratory symptoms) and information about environmental exposures were obtained. Spirometries were carried out on all the women and the lung volume of those with COPD was measured. Forty-two patients with COPD and all of the control group underwent HRCT. ; Introdução: A exposição à fumaça da combustão de lenha contribui, de maneira significativa, para prevalência da DPOC em muitos países. Achados desses estudos podem não ser totalmente aplicáveis ao Brasil, tendo em vista, no país, a diversidade da vegetação utilizada como lenha, o emprego praticamente restrito à cocção de alimentos e a limitada utilização de outros tipos de biomassa. Tem crescido a importância da tomografia computadorizada de tórax de alta resolução (TCAR) como ferramenta adjuvante à espirometria para diagnóstico da DPOC e os estudos sobre a doença provocada por fumaça de lenha ainda são escassos. Objetivos: Identificar ...