Identifying cases of undiagnosed, clinically significant COPD in primary care: qualitative insight from patients in the target population

Abstract

Many cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are diagnosed only after significant loss of lung function or during exacerbations. This study is part of a multi-method approach to develop a new screening instrument for identifying undiagnosed, clinically significant COPD in primary care. Subjects with varied histories of COPD diagnosis, risk factors and history of exacerbations were recruited through five US clinics (four pulmonary, one primary care). Phase I: Eight focus groups and six telephone interviews were conducted to elicit descriptions of risk factors for COPD, recent or historical acute respiratory events, and symptoms to inform the development of candidate items for the new questionnaire. Phase II: A new cohort of subjects participated in cognitive interviews to assess and modify candidate items. Two peak expiratory flow (PEF) devices (electronic, manual) were assessed for use in screening. Of 77 subjects, 50 participated in Phase I and 27 in Phase II. Six themes informed item development: exposure (smoking, second-hand smoke); health history (family history of lung problems, recurrent chest infections); recent history of respiratory events (clinic visits, hospitalisations); symptoms (respiratory, non-respiratory); impact (activity limitations); and attribution (age, obesity). PEF devices were rated easy to use; electronic values were significantly higher than manual (P<0.0001). Revisions were made to the draft items on the basis of cognitive interviews. Forty-eight candidate items are ready for quantitative testing to select the best, smallest set of questions that, together with PEF, can efficiently identify patients in need of diagnostic evaluation for clinically significant COPD. Questions to ask patients to detect undiagnosed clinically significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are ready for trials. Many patients are first diagnosed with COPD only after substantial airway obstruction has developed or during an acute respiratory illness. Earlier diagnosis could lead to more effective treatment and improved short- and long-term health. Nancy Leidy of the health information and research company Evidera in Bethesda, Maryland, has worked with researchers across the US to address this challenge. The researchers recruited 77 subjects in five clinics to assess which questions were most likely to be effective in identifying undiagnosed COPD. Forty-eight questions have been selected from this initial qualitative study for further quantitative testing. The next phase of research should reveal the best and smallest set of questions to identify patients in need of further diagnostic evaluation.