A five-question patient-administered survey (COPD-PS) may increase diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to research presented this week at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, held in Atlanta this week. Researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Olmsted Medical Center, Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, and Pfizer Inc conducted the study.
The researchers randomized 9,704 patients with no prior COPD diagnosis from primary care practices located in seven U.S. states into three groups based on treatment¬—Arm 1: COPD-PS plus spirometry; Arm 2: COPD-PS alone; and Arm 3: usual care. Results showed that the rate of new COPD diagnoses within 8 weeks of the first visit was statistically significantly higher in Arms 1 and 2 than in Arm 3, with the highest yield seen in Arm 1—the combination-screening group.
As a result, the researchers conclude that screening tools could facilitate diagnosis of COPD in primary care settings.
Source: American College of Chest Physicians
