Asthma + Lung UK is asking for lung health to turn out to be an urgent priority after a damning report, released ahead of World COPD Day tomorrow, reveals that nearly 1 / 4 of individuals surveyed with the deadly lung disease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), waited greater than five years for a diagnosis, whilst one in eight waited greater than a decade. 

Delays of this length may end up in individuals with COPD, an incurable condition which causes severe breathlessness and affects around 1.4 million people within the UK, losing lung function. This results in extreme breathlessness and difficulties performing on a regular basis tasks like walking to the shops, home tasks, and socializing. Late diagnosis means individuals are living with a poorer quality of life and are far more prone to have life-threatening flare-ups of the disease.

Asthma + Lung UK, which has published its findings in its latest report, Delayed Diagnosis and Unequal Care: The truth for individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) within the UK in 2022, based on a survey of 6,500 people reveals that the common wait for COPD diagnosis is five years. 

COPD is an umbrella term for a gaggle of lung conditions which cause respiration difficulties, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and symptoms of the disease include breathlessness, a chesty cough and chest infections.  

Greater than a 3rd (34%) of individuals surveyed said they were unable to acknowledge the signs of COPD and around 1 in 4 (23%) said they were misdiagnosed as their doctor thought they’d a chest infection or cough. Other key problems included access to care, with 1 in 4 (26%) saying they couldn’t get an appointment and 1 in 5 (21%) being unable to access diagnostic tests (including spirometry, a respiration test which is a key approach to diagnosing COPD). 

Asthma + Lung UK, which funds research into lung conditions, has a helpline, and greater than 150 support groups for individuals with lung conditions including COPD, desires to see the federal government roll out a UK-wide public awareness campaign on key symptoms, similar to breathlessness, like Be Clear on Cancer.

Additionally it is calling for the urgent prioritization of quality-assured spirometry across the healthcare system, particularly in primary care. Spirometry was halted through the pandemic because of infection concerns around COVID-19, regardless that guidance showed it was secure, and continues to be unavailable in lots of areas. 

Delayed Diagnosis & Unequal Care reveals that only 51% of those surveyed who had been diagnosed within the last two years recalled receiving a spirometry test as a part of their diagnosis, with Government figures showing that many 1000’s of individuals missed out on being diagnosed with COPD through the pandemic.

Worryingly, even those with a COPD diagnosis weren’t getting adequate support, in keeping with the research by Asthma + Lung UK with 82% of individuals surveyed saying they’d not received the ‘five fundamentals’ of basic COPD care, beneficial by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), reflecting a 7% decline in care since last yr.  

Every patient with COPD should get a yearly flu and an everyday pneumonia vaccine, have a customized plan to assist them manage their condition, be offered optimized treatment for every other medical conditions and support to quit smoking in the event that they need it. Certain patients also needs to give you the option to get Pulmonary Rehab (an exercise and respiration regime that helps with COPD).

The report also highlights significant health inequalities surrounding COPD, with poorer people more prone to have flare-ups, where they struggle to breathe, than their wealthier counterparts. Someone from the poorest 10% of households is greater than two and a half times more prone to have COPD than someone from probably the most affluent 10% of households. 

Vivienne Gaynor, 60, from Edinburgh, took six years to get a diagnosis of COPD. She said: 

“I developed asthma as an adult and was given inhalers. But once I was 45, my respiration modified, and I noticed that my inhalers were less effective, and I kept getting chest infections and was wheezy on a regular basis. Over the following six years, I lost count of the variety of times I went to see my GP with a chest infection or trouble respiration, but all I used to be told was: It’s just asthma or Keep using the inhalers. 

“It didn’t make sense that I used to be consistently breathless, and I struggled simply to rise up the steps, and was at all times drained. Finally in 2013, I got a message from my GP, telling me to select up my COPD inhaler. And that was it – there was no explanation and no support. I swapped surgeries straightaway, and since then, the treatment I actually have received has been pretty good, and I realise I’m lucky for that. 

“However it still makes me indignant that I used to be so easily dismissed, and the impact of the delayed diagnosis meant that I had to offer up the job I loved as a mental health advocate, and now should use a mobility scooter to get around. Lung health isn’t taken seriously enough, and no one seems to know what COPD is, and that it’s a really chronic condition with no cure. If I had been suffering with cancer or a heart problem, I don’t think I’d have had to attend so long for a diagnosis and would probably have received far more empathy and support.” 

Sarah Woolnough, CEO of Asthma + Lung UK, said:  

“We’re hearing shocking stories of individuals spending years, even a decade of their lives, sometimes struggling to breathe, unaware that they’ve a lung condition which could possibly be managed with the suitable treatment and support. Diagnosis of COPD must be faster and more accurate and there must be greater awareness of the seriousness of lung conditions and the signs and symptoms to look out for.”

To realize this, we’re calling on the federal government to make sure the NHS is provided to restart diagnostic tests for lung conditions, like spirometry. We’re excited by NHS plans to introduce a pre-diagnosis Breathlessness Pathway for adults in England, which if well implemented could make an actual difference, but there also must be a UK-wide breathlessness awareness campaign so the general public and healthcare professionals are more aware of lung conditions. Those diagnosed with COPD need higher, more joined-up care, and access to vital treatments. Anyone experiencing breathlessness should go to our website for information and support, and if essential, seek medical advice. Nobody needs to be left fighting for breath.” 

Sarah Woolnough, CEO, Asthma + Lung UK

Asthma + Lung UK is urging people to examine whether or not they are receiving the suitable care by completing the COPD Patient Passport.