@article {O{\textquoteright}HaganP3803, author = {Philip O{\textquoteright}Hagan and Beyza Oezel and Niels Chavannes}, title = {Morning symptoms and acute breathing difficulties in the diagnosis of COPD}, volume = {44}, number = {Suppl 58}, elocation-id = {P3803}, year = {2014}, publisher = {European Respiratory Society}, abstract = {IntroductionMorning symptoms of COPD can severely compromise the ability to perform activities throughout the day and are associated with an increased frequency of exacerbations (Small M, Broomfield S and Pollard R. Thorax 2012; 67:A155). This survey quantified the reasons patients gave for their attendance at hospital prior to being diagnosed with COPD and the extent to which their daily routines were affected by morning symptoms.MethodsApproximately 100 patients in each of eight countries completed a structured 20 minute on-line survey which thus had sufficient statistical power to reveal country differences. Patients were recruited from a panel of consumers who had previously expressed an interest in participating in healthcare research. Patients had to have been suffering from at least one of four common symptoms of COPD to a greater extent in the morning.ResultsNearly two-thirds of patients attended hospital prior to the original diagnosis due to dyspnoea or persistent coughing/wheezing. A quarter attended due to an acute episode of breathing difficulty having experienced on average, four such episodes before diagnosis. Despite treatment, half of all patients had had to make changes to their morning routines.ConclusionsAwareness of the common symptoms of COPD is key in reaching a diagnosis. Although it is less prevalent, acute breathing difficulty is also of diagnostic importance. Despite treatment, many patients continue to experience symptoms which place them at increased risk of acute breathing difficulties.}, issn = {0903-1936}, URL = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P3803}, eprint = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content}, journal = {European Respiratory Journal} }