3.5 Million People In The UK Are At A High Risk Of Having Life-threatening Lung Condition

Nearly 3.5 million people (7.4%) in the UK are at a high risk of having the lung condition, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and are unaware they could have it according to new research from the British Lung Foundation (BLF). Previous research from the charity showed there are currently 2.8 million people living with the condition who are undiagnosed, however this new research suggests the possibility that there is now 700,000 more than originally thought.



The Opinion Matters research, commissioned by the BLF for World COPD Day, surveyed over 1,000 respondents across the UK with no history of diagnosed lung disease and asked them whether they had symptoms of COPD such breathlessness, a regular cough, phlegm and wheeze. Each response was scored to reveal how at risk participants were of having the life-threatening lung condition. It was found that 22.8% of respondents were at a medium risk and an astonishing 7.4% were at a high risk of having COPD and not even knowing it.



Across the total 3.5 million people found to be at high risk, women accounted for 54% with 1.89 million in total across the UK. COPD has been increasing nearly three times faster amongst women than men.



COPD is an umbrella term for chronic bronchitis and emphysema and can literally leave someone gasping for breath. It is currently the UK's fifth biggest killer, killing more women than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer each year. More worryingly, BLF research has shown that over 29 million people (61%) in the UK have never heard of the condition.



Symptoms of COPD include breathlessness and a persistent cough. This research also shows a staggering 28% of smokers would think their cough was just a 'smoker's cough', a term used to downplay their symptoms. In actual fact, a 'smoker's cough' is a symptom of COPD which can start to develop in people as early as their late twenties. Only 4% of smokers would think their breathlessness or cough was down to COPD.



Across England, the research also found that 11% of respondents in the North West were found to be at a high risk of having COPD. South East had the second largest with 10% and London third with 9%. Across the UK, Northern Ireland was the highest at risk, with 13%.



Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation said: "This research suggests the possibility of up to 3.5 million people in the UK living with COPD and not even knowing it. This is 700,000 more people than previous research has shown which is really alarming.



"This is why early diagnosis is so essential to slow the progression of COPD to ensure that those with the disease can manage their condition properly and live with COPD rather than suffering in silence with an invisible disease.
















"This is why the BLF is encouraging those with symptoms such as a persistent cough with phlegm, breathlessness or a wheezy chest to take the BLF's online breath test orto visit their GP for a lung function test."



The BLF has mapped out 'at high risk' areas and a print-ready version is available on request.




Notes



1. The research was carried out between 25 October 2010 - 29 October 2010. It sampled 1,058 UK adults. Each respondent was given a score of 0 for answering no and 1 for answering yes. Smokers and ex-smokers were automatically given a score of 2. There were seven questions scored in total. Respondents who scored five or more were put at high risk of having COPD.



2. All respondents had not been previously diagnosed with: a lung condition, anemia or a heart disease all of which cause breathlessness.



3. The high risk group had a female base of 42 (54%) and a male base of 36 (46%).



4. The research was kindly supported by a grant from Pfizer.



5. World COPD Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) to improve awareness and care of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) around the world. World COPD Day 2010 will take place on November 17 and the British Lung Foundation is leading this campaign in the UK.



6. COPD is the umbrella term for a number of lung conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It kills more people every year than breast, bowel or prostate cancer



7. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive, irreversible lung disease. It is both preventable and treatable. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can slow the progression of the illness



8. The UK faces a chronic lung disease time bomb. COPD is already the fifth biggest killer in the UK and it is the only major cause of death whose incidence is on the increase



9. COPD is caused by smoking or by exposure to environmental pollution and to hazards at work such as dust, fumes and gases. In a very small number of people it is caused by a genetic deficiency