An ATS study will analyze electronic health records across seven academic medical systems to identify misdiagnosed bronchiectasis cases.
RT’s Three Key Takeaways:
- Diagnostic Gap Identification: The American Thoracic Society (ATS) will lead a 36-month initiative to investigate the underdiagnosis of bronchiectasis, which often presents with symptoms overlapping with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Multi-Site EHR Analysis: The study will utilize electronic health records from seven academic medical systems to identify patients who may have been misdiagnosed or have co-occurring bronchiectasis.
- Addressing Healthcare Disparities: A primary focus of the project includes examining diagnostic imaging practices and potential disparities in access to specialty care among underserved and diverse communities.
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) announced a quality improvement initiative to address the underdiagnosis of bronchiectasis in the US, according to the ATS.
Bronchiectasis is a chronic, progressive lung disease characterized by permanent widening of the airways. It is frequently underdiagnosed because its symptoms often overlap with other respiratory diseases like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which can delay appropriate treatment and worsen patient outcomes, the ATS stated.
The ATS will work with seven academic medical systems across the country to conduct a large-scale electronic health record (EHR) inquiry. The study aims to identify whether patients with a diagnosis of COPD or asthma also have bronchiectasis or if they were misdiagnosed with those conditions initially.
“Bronchiectasis is a condition that has long been hiding in plain sight,” said Raed Dweik, MD, MBA, ATSF, ats president, in a news release. “Too many patients are living with undiagnosed or misdiagnosed bronchiectasis, missing out on appropriate care. This initiative represents a critical step toward closing that gap – using the power of real-world data, quality improvement and implementation science, and the ATS’s national network to drive better outcomes for patients across the country.”
The initiative is structured around four goals to be achieved over a 36-month period, including identifying the scope of underdiagnosis, examining patterns of misdiagnosis, and investigating disparities in access to specialty care with a focus on underserved and diverse communities. In parallel, the ATS will establish prospective programs to improve earlier diagnosis and guideline-directed care.
The project is supported by an independent research grant from Insmed Incorporated. The ATS will solely design, lead, and execute all aspects of the initiative.
“At Insmed, we are deeply committed to patients with serious lung diseases, and we know that the journey to an accurate diagnosis can be long and difficult for those living with bronchiectasis,” said Martina Flammer, MD, MBA, insmed chief medical officer, in a news release. “By helping to illuminate potential diagnostic gaps, we hope this important initiative led by the ATS will contribute to a future where every patient with bronchiectasis gets the timely, accurate diagnosis they deserve.”
