Breathing Test Screening For Heart Disease Patients Could Pick Up Thousands Of Undiagnosed Lung Disease Cases, UK

Main Category: Respiratory / Asthma
Also Included In: Heart Disease;  Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 06 Dec 2009 - 0:00 PST

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Over a quarter of people with heart disease may also be living with chronic lung disease without knowing it, according to new research presented on Friday at The British Thoracic Society (BTS) Annual Winter Meeting.

The researchers believe that if heart patients were screened, and lung disease was spotted earlier and treated, it could really help to improve their health outcome.

The study conducted by Imperial College, London School of Medicine and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust analysed whether a simple breathing test (spirometry) could be performed in cardiology clinics to identify undiagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - an umbrella term for a number of lung conditions including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

A total of 163 patients (107 male, 56 female) took part in the spirometry testing and over a quarter of the patients tested (26.4%) demonstrated airflow obstruction - a key sign of COPD.

Cardiovascular disease and COPD share common risk factors including smoking and poor diet, and some patients can have both at the same time.

An umbrella term for a number of conditions including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, COPD is characterised by permanent scarring to the lung tissue caused mostly by smoking. It is estimated that 3.7 million people in the UK have the disease, yet only 900,000 people are currently diagnosed. This means that almost 2 million people have the condition but don't know it.

The principal author of the research, Dr Sarah Elkin, Lead in Respiratory Medicine at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and member of the British Thoracic Society said:

"Our research suggests that screening heart disease out-patients with a simple breathing test could indentify many undiagnosed lung disease cases.

The positive news is that if we can spot lung disease cases more quickly we can treat them more effectively. And in many cases this will help improve patients' health.

The diagnosis could also act as a real impetus for patients to quit smoking - and thus a window of opportunity to offer NHS stop smoking support. Kicking the habit could add years to their life, and improve their quality of life."

Source
British Thoracic Society

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