• Tim Luckett, Aljon San Martin, David C Currow, Miriam J Johnson, Matilda Mm Barnes-Harris, and Jane L Phillips.
• IMPACCT (Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia.
• Palliat Med. 2020 Dec 1; 34 (10): 1291-1304.

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer are both life-limiting diseases that confer burden in the form of symptoms and affect functioning and quality of life. Comparing burden between these diseases is of interest to determine whether people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease require improved access to Specialist Palliative Care. Access should be based on needs rather than diagnosis or prognosis but is limited for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease compared to lung cancer.AimThe aim of this study was to synthesise research comparing burden from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer to estimate relative need for Specialist Palliative Care.DesignA systematic review was conducted of observational quantitative studies published in English peer-reviewed journals comparing burden from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer (PROSPERO CRD42018108819). No limits were placed on disease stage. Meta-analyses were performed where studies used the same measure; otherwise, synthesis used a narrative approach. Risk of bias was assessed using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality tool.Data SourcesElectronic databases were searched in September 2019.ResultsOf 790 articles returned, 13 were included, reporting 11 studies. Risk of bias was generally moderate. Except for pain, burden tended to be at least as substantial from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as from lung cancer, with breathlessness and impacts on functioning being significantly worse. Longitudinal studies suggest that people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease live with burden for longer.ConclusionEfforts should be made to ensure that access to Specialist Palliative Care is commensurate with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease's substantial and long-lasting burden. Future research should clarify whether managing burden in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer requires different approaches.

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