The success of obtaining the induced sputum of patients with COPD

<b>Background:</b> Does type of inhalation and stages of COPD influence on quality of cells in induced sputum. <b>Aims and Objectives:</b> Determination of the performance of induced sputum by the amount and quality of cells in patients at COPD gold stages and in healthy populations. <b>Methods:</b> The study was conducted from Mar 2014 to Jun 2016. In the study participated 210 patients. The population of patients suffering from all four stages of COPD and a healthy population was included. Criteria were: population older than 40 years, FEV1 above 0.8 l, absence of other comorbidities. We collected sputum by induction using an inhaler with 0.9% NaCl solution, 3%, 4% and 5% hypertonic solution. Each inhalation lasted 7 minutes, and the patient was coughing between and after each inhalation. <b>Results:</b> 1) Distribution of patients by categories; GOLD 1 (27%), GOLD 2 (27%), GOLD 3 (22%), GOLD 4 (4%) and control group (20%) (N=146). 2) 80% of respondents managed to give an adequate sputum sample (N=146). 3) Distribution of patients by categories that managed to give an adequate sputum sample; GOLD 1 (67%), GOLD 2 (80%), GOLD 3 (97%), GOLD 4 (83%) and control group (79%) (N=146). <b>Conclusion:</b> Based on the results, there were no major differences in the percentage of patients who managed to give an adequate sputum sample. Only a small number of patients in the GOLD 1 category could successfully provide an adequate sputum pattern.