Abstract
Background: The last comprehensive survey of UK respiratory disease epidemiology was the British Thoracic Society's 2006 report. We have performed an analysis covering 2008-2012.
Methods: Prevalence and incidence rates were estimated from a primary care database representing ∼ 5 per cent of the population. Mortality figures were derived from official government statistics. For international mortality comparisons and numbers of hospital admissions /inpatient bed-days we used WHO data.
Results: About 585,000 respiratory disease diagnoses are made per year in the UK, half due to asthma and COPD. The prevalence of IPF is more than double previous estimates. An estimated 12 million people have ever had a lung disease diagnosis – nearly 1 in 5 of the population. Prevalence is highest in the North-West and South-West of England. Lung disease kills around 115,000 people a year – one in five of all deaths, and one of the UK's three biggest killers; there has been no real change in mortality 2008-2012. Mortality is highest in the North-West, North-East, and Scotland. Globally the UK is in the top 20 countries for lung cancer and COPD deaths. Respiratory disease (most commonly pneumonia) accounts for nearly 700,000 annual hospital admissions (> 6.1 million bed days) in the UK. More women than men have a diagnosed lung disease, mainly due to higher pneumonia incidence; most other lung conditions are more common in men. Most lung disorders are commoner in more deprived groups; bronchiectasis is an intriguing exception.
Conclusions: Lung disease remains a huge burden in the UK; its importance is not reflected in the amount of funding for respiratory research.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
