Concerns chronic obstructive pulmonary disease being missed

HEAVY smokers are slipping through the net when it comes to diagnosis of a common form of lung disease.

A STUDY has raised concern that some smokers are slipping through the net when it comes to being diagnosed with a common form of lung disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic asthma, is the fifth leading cause of death in Australia.

PUSH FOR PULMONARY REHABILITATION

HALF OF AUSTRALIANS BATTLING CHRONIC DISEASES

SILENCING DREADED SMOKERS COUGH

Research from the Monash University-led study, published today in the Medical Journal of Australia, said COPD was misdiagnosed or missed across 41 GP clinics.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the fifth leading cause of death in Australia.

Out of the more than 1000 heavy smokers who had lung function tests, about 37 per cent were misdiagnosed as having COPD.

Monash University’s Dr Johnson George said it was also of concern that one in six participants who had not been diagnosed with the disease were found to have it.

Without the use of a spirometer, a diagnosis is made based on patient history, symptoms and chest X-rays.

The study noted some of the barriers to giving patients a spirometry test were lack of access to the equipment, no training to use it and interpret results, and poor remuneration for the service.

Australian Medical Association Victoria president Dr Lorraine Baker said the cap­acity to manage any chronic disease required money and resources that were challenging to provide given the poor renumeration of general practice consultations.