Primary care respiratory journal : journal of the General Practice Airways Group
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Randomized Controlled Trial
COPD screening efforts in primary care: what is the yield?
Underdiagnosis of COPD appears to be common, although the degree of underdiagnosis is rarely measured. To document the extent of underdiagnosis in a high risk group of ambulatory patients, we performed spirometry in smokers aged 40 years and over drawn from general practices in two countries. ⋯ Screening of smokers over 40 in general practice may yield 10 - 20% undiagnosed COPD cases, with a substantial proportion of these having moderate to severe disease. Earlier diagnosis through targeted case-finding will allow early, aggressive smoking cessation efforts and may lead to a reduction in the burden of COPD symptoms and a reduced impact of the disease on health-related quality of life in these patients.