%0 Journal Article %A Andreas Tridimas %A Thomas Archer %A Sandra Olebaum %A Hassan Burhan %T The prevalence of symptoms suggestive of COPD amongst patients attending an illicit drug misuse clinic %D 2013 %J European Respiratory Journal %P P2086 %V 42 %N Suppl 57 %X Background:Illicit drug use such as crack cocaine and heroin smoking contribute to a range of respiratory conditions. A significant proportion of drug users also smoke tobacco. For a wide range of social, psychological and economic reasons, respiratory conditions within this population may often go undiagnosed for many years.Methods:Drug users referred to an inner city drug treatment centre in Liverpool through the criminal justice have their medical and prescribed drug histories documented. Patients attending this clinic were asked to fill in an anonymous questionnaire to assess whether they had symptoms suggestive of COPD. Uptake was low and the questionnaire was eventually administered over several visits by staff at the centre and from the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.ResultsQuestionnaires were completed by 62 patients (19 female, mean age 40). 44 (71%) of patients were current or ex smokers of tobacco (mean 23.5 pack year history) 40 (65%) were or had smoked marijuana, 54 (87%) crack, and 57 (92%) heroin. 43 (66%) reported dyspnoea and 34 (54%) reported a cough. The mean MRC Dyspnoea score was 2 on a 'good' day and 3 on a 'bad' day. 35 (56%) patients were or had been on inhaled treatment. 13 (21%) patients had been to a chest clinic and 19 (31%) patients had been admitted to hospital with respiratory problems in the past. Only 14 (23%) patients had been told they had COPD.ConclusionsRespiratory symptoms suggestive of COPD are common in patients who are current or ex drug smokers attending an illicit drug treatment centre. Few patients have been diagnosed and this may reflect difficult access to healthcare for spirometric assessment when stable. %U https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/erj/42/Suppl_57/P2086.full.pdf